Schoolchildren are putting their lives at risk by jumping out in front of cars as they walk through Helston's streets.

Three separate incidents posted on Facebook have prompted dozens of angry responses from people who have witnessed near-misses or had to slam on their own brakes, due to a sudden spate of youngsters playing "chicken" as they walk home from school.

One person spoke of how an elderly female driver was left looking shaken and upset after a boy jumped out in front of her car, causing her to make an emergency stop, and then proceeded to shout abuse at her.

Another told of how the same thing had happened between the Spar shop and Skoda garage at the top of Meneage Street.

Sophie McCabe added: "We were doing 20mph, I was in the passenger seat. We swerved and missed one boy by centimetres. They thought it was hilarious; we had to stop we were so shaken."

A debate was prompted by Demelza Carey writing on a Helston discussion site: "Not sure if anyone else noticed around Clodgey Lane, near the traffic lights, but close to the housing estates some boys [were] playing chicken in the road around 3.45pm-3.50pm.

"They might think it's funny but not if you're a driver. Luckily enough I wasn't going fast, but please be aware."

When one person pointed out that some children walked across busy roads while looking at their phones, Ms Carey added: "These boys knew there were cars coming and then did the same to the driver behind me. Poor lady, she swerved and must have frightened her too."

Yet another person wrote of an incident at around 8.15pm on the same day of the original post, with another reported as taking place in Station Road last week.

Jenny-Sue Tobin said: "I'd love to know what goes through these kids' brains. I'd rather stay alive than spend my life showing off to my pals. That 'pal' will soon regret it when their friend is killed."

Many commenters spoke of how the youngsters had been wearing Helston Community College uniforms and urged witnesses to report the matter to the school and "nipped in the bud" before someone is killed.

On a different post, there was a stark warning about the potential consequences from Jamii Bell, who wrote: "When I was ten a boy in my year group at school died playing this stupid game. People do die playing chicken."

And Lisa Fisher wrote: "I drive the buses and believe it or not kids do it in front of us too. It's just so scary."

Donna Bryant, headteacher at Helston Community College, said she it was "disappointing" to hear of such behaviour.

She told the Helston Packet: "The young people in our community are fully aware of how to behave appropriately. We have over 1,350 students at the college – the vast majority of whom exhibit exemplary and courteous behaviour.

"Their high standards of behaviour are frequently commented on by our community, and by visitors to the college. It is disappointing to hear of young people in the community acting so foolishly.

"The college always follows up such matters robustly when they are brought to our attention."