MOTORWAY police were scrambled to junction one of the M66 after reports two young boys were trying to cross the carriageway.

The children, one of whom had a football in his hand, were spotted attempting to cross the motorway near to the 'Dicky Bird' housing estate at about 5pm.

But when North West Motorway Police (NWMP) officers arrived at the scene, they could see no trace of the youngsters.

A spokesman for NWMP tweeted: “24th October 2007, two boys aged seven and six were killed whilst crossing the M56 in Runcorn.

“Do you know where your kids are tonight!”