TRUCKERS are being warned not to take their children in their lorry cabs to Felixstowe port – or they will be refused entry to the container terminal.With the school summer holidays now under way, port police have issued a notice to try to force home the message that the port is a highly-dangerous place for youngsters to be around.

TRUCKERS are being warned not to take their children in their lorry cabs to Felixstowe port – or they will be refused entry to the container terminal.

With the school summer holidays now under way, port police have issued a notice to try to force home the message that the port is a highly-dangerous place for youngsters to be around.

A number of drivers have in the past taken their children, and other family members with them, on their trips around the country.

But the port's regulations do not allow access to anyone except those with legitimate business on the terminal.

Port corporate affairs manager Paul Davey said: "In the past we have experienced problems during the school holidays with HGV drivers bringing children in to the port.

"This is an extremely busy working environment and is not a safe place for them. In the interests of safety we will refuse access to any vehicles carrying children or other family members."

Carrying children and relatives in hauliers' cabs into operational areas is prevented under the Docks Regulations 1988.

Port police have put up posters around the complex to say that lorry drivers with children in their articulated cabs may be turned away at the dock gates, and this could delay delivery of cargo.

Agents and forwarders have also been asked to help by passing the message on to their hauliers, and details have been sent through the computer system which links those processing cargo through the port.