Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue say the massive building in Newbridge Hill needs knocking down after police warned of the dangers of youths using it like a 'climbing frame in a playground'.

Forty French Search and Rescue Teams along with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue will enter the malt kiln today (Wednesday) and tackle a simulated earthquake in a national training exercise testing the UK's International Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams.

But far from a pretend disaster, Lincolnshire Police claim a real one is waiting to happen as youngsters trespass into the malt kiln – which suffered damage after a deliberate fire in April 2008 – and engage in anti-social behaviour.

PC Al Town of Louth's Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "There are serious concerns regarding the Malt Kiln where, since May, we've been dealing with numerous reports of anti-social and potentially life-threatening activity."

And now Lincolnshire's Fire and Rescue say the only way to eliminate the risk is to demolish the building, which is owned by Kier Homes.

Gary Millson, station manager for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue said: "Once the site is boarded up and secured, it is only a matter of time before access is eventually re-gained. In our opinion the site needs demolishing, to remove all temptation from mischievous youngsters."

He also claims a video of youths inside the Malt Kiln shown on the website YouTube, has added to the building's appeal.

A spokesperson from Kier Homes said: "We are in dialogue with the local planning authority regarding the potential development of the site into a mixed use scheme, consisting retail and commercial property and potentially residential units above. This will ultimately mean demolition of the existing malt buildings".

The disaster training exercise at the Malt Kiln will be held today (Wednesday) at 5pm when building collapses will be simulated and training such as rope rescue, casualty recovery and searching skills will be tested.

* What do you think? Should the malt kiln be demolished? E-mail us: charles.ladbrook@jpress.co.uk