CHILDREN are being warned to take extra care when crossing roads near ice cream vans and drivers are also being urged to be extra vigilant.

The warning comes after three-years-old Stevie Banks of Coronation Avenue, Atherton, was injured on Monday afternoon by a Ford pick-up truck after running into the road from in front of an ice cream van.

Stevie was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where she was treated for serious injuries to her right leg and was later described as being in a stable condition.

Ch Insp Steve Westcott of Leigh Police said: "I am asking parents to warn their children to take care, particularly near ice cream vans. I am also asking drivers to be extra careful of children running into the road in excitement when they see an ice cream van near their homes."

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