THE conception, design and construction of the Millennium Bridge was a magnificent achievement. Crowds of York residents flocked to cross it on the opening day a little over a week ago.

They responded as one: the Millennium Bridge was something the city could be proud of.

It has not taken long for a group of young idiots to tarnish that sense of pride.

Our pictures today show youngsters crouching on the stanchion of the bridge. We have heard other reports of children using the run-up to the steps as an unofficial bike and skateboarding park, and swearing at passers-by who get in their way.

Even worse, the White Rose Line tourist boats have come under fire from missiles hurled from the bank. These have mostly consisted of clods of earth. One of the riverside wooden posts has also been vandalised.

How sad. Yet it seems almost inevitable that a minority of youngsters, bored in the school holidays, will behave in this way. Once again, we can only ask parents to check where their children are and what they are doing.

More worrying than the petty vandalism and anti-social behaviour is the "daredevil" behaviour of some children.

Every year, during the hottest summer days, we carry reports of youngsters throwing themselves into the Ouse from York's bridges. But such "high jinks" can have fatal results. The Ouse may look placid, but it is cold, wide, deep and fast-flowing. Even the best swimmers would struggle in its waters.

Those young people who find it amusing to climb on the stanchion or lean over the edge must be warned. They are putting their lives at risk.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, April 19, 2001