Alert over wiretraps.

Byline: Naomi Paylor

An alert has been issued to beach-goers after illegal traps were found on a popular stretch of Teesside coastline.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who found two wire loop metal traps within the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, close to Hartlepool power station.

English Nature and Hartlepool Council's countryside wardens fear someone could be seriously hurt by the dangerous devices. They also say pets could be maimed or even killed if they trigger a trap.

Mike Leakey, English Nature's site manager for the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, said: "We deplore this kind of irresponsible and malicious activity.

"These traps could cause serious harm to people and their pets. We will be working closely with the police to try to address this problem."

Countryside warden, Steve Cooper, said: "We had previously found evidence suggesting that poachers were operating in this area, but the discovery of these traps is a worrying development.

"They were apparently very professionally sited on a well-used track through the sand dunes.

"They would certainly have caused a serious injury, but we are particularly concerned that a young child playing in the dunes could have been very badly hurt indeed. These traps have the potential to cut to the bone."

The traps are thought to have been laid to catch rabbits and other wild animals that live on the dunes.

Mr Cooper added: "We have dunes stretching for several miles from Seaton Carew to the Tees Estuary and we are worried that there may still be other traps out there."

* Anyone who discovers a trap is urged to call the countryside wardens on 01429 853325 or the police.