Most skateboarders avoid the affected areas

The youngsters are being prosecuted under a byelaw in the city centre, introduced because buildings, some Grade I listed, are being damaged.

Liverpool City Council said it has warned skaters and their parents prosecutions could be pursued, but has now reached "the end of its tether".

Youngsters are being urged to find other, safer, places to skate in a bid to stop the buildings being damaged and reduce the risk of injury.

Councillor Chris Newby, acting council leader, said the majority of skateboarders do not use the areas affected by the byelaw but there is a "daredevil element" who choose to.

The message to skateboarders is...you're liable to be fined �1,000, so can you afford it and is it worth it? Councillor Chris Newby

On Thursday he told BBC News Online: "What these youngsters are doing is skateboarding down the city's precious monuments, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

"I understand the temptation, but it is not acceptable. We are also talking about areas visited by lots of tourists, who can get frightened by them."

The byelaw was introduced in 2002, and is particularly aimed at three places, St George's Hall, the Pier Head and Derby Square.

Parks under-used

Mr Newby said patrols of the monuments, which are carried out by police and council wardens, take place four times a day.

"Kids have been given plenty of warning about this, but we've now come to the end of our tether," he said.

"The message to skateboarders is we're serious about this - you're liable to be fined �1,000. Can you afford that and is it worth it?"

The council said skateboarders have told them they do not want purpose-built facilities and those that have been provided are under-used.