Abandoned gas cylinders are posing a danger to children who have begun throwing them around on a Falmouth footpath, one of the town's councillors warned.

Councillor Stephen Eva raised the matter at Monday's town council meeting at which he told members his fears that someone may get hurt.

The path in question is at Trescobeas, leading to the Lamb's Lane area. As reported by the Packet last month, concerns relating to the path were first raised at a previous meeting of the council, when it was revealed that school children were crossing a section of Falmouth branch line track because the footpath was flooded.

Mr Eva said on Monday that the water had now dried up, but this had caused problems in itself as a large amount of rubbish had been left. Among the items that had previously been hidden underwater were gas cylinders, which Mr Eva claimed were now being picked up and thrown around by youngsters.

Mr Eva said: "I'm very worried about the gas bottles as kids are throwing them around. Someone needs to get up there soon." He added that an abandoned car and a washing machine were also on the footpath, together with glass bottles that could easily smash.

"The floods have gone and it's left a hell of a mess up there. At the moment it is a health hazard. I think someone should go up there and clear the land sooner rather than later," he concluded.

Town clerk Mark Williams told members that Network Rail had been in touch with the council and were sending someone to look at the track. However, he said there was still an issue over who actually owned the footpath. He added that if this was determined and the footpath cleared then the council could look into taking over the maintenance of the footpath, but he advised against this until the issues had been resolved.

"If the land was clear and the flooding dealt with I think a reasonable step would be for this council to say, Let's take over.' But I certainly wouldn't advocate taking it on in its current condition," he explained.