Children are being injured on trampolines because too many people, including drunk adults, are crowding onto them, doctors have warned. The recent good weather may see a rise in the number of children and adults falling off trampolines, with the lightest people more likely to be hurt.

Medics from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee analysed 50 injuries seen in their A&E department over six weeks.

They found 80% of the problems related to the number of bouncers climbing onto the equipment. The more bouncers on the trampoline at any one time, the more likely there is to be a accident.

Some 46% of the cases analysed by the group had lack of adult supervision as a factor, while 64% involved no safety net.

The team found that 54% of injuries were on the legs, 32% on the arms and 14% on the head, neck, face or chest.

Dr Andrew Bogacz from Ninewells explained that often injuries were caused by adults and children bouncing together and getting out of phase with each other.

"As the adult bounces on the trampoline with the child their weight brings the platform of the trampoline down and back up to meet the child as they land - this causes a force into the child's bones," he said.

"This causes quite significant injuries, usually fractures, which has a large consequence for the child, often requiring an operation and a stay in hospital, not to mention the emotional impact on their confidence, time off school, time away from their friends during the holidays."

Peter Cornall, head of leisure safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said that trampolines can be fun and provide exercise.

"The boom in trampolining has almost certainly led to an increase in accidents, but that does not mean parents should not buy trampolines for their children," he said.

RoSPA advise selecting the right equipment, position and space, properly supervising children, considering a net or cage, and ideally making sure that only one person bounces at a time.