LOCAL schools have issued warnings to parents around this summer’s craze, Pokemon Go.

The app which has taken the world by storm sees users walking, adventuring and searching for Pokemon characters to collect through their smart phones, using their camera and GPS.

The free application has also drawn much praise from critics, with children and teenagers getting out of the house, with some Pokemon requiring 5km of walking to enable their collection.

However, the app has also thrown up many dangers.

App users glued to their phone screens have been walking into a whole host of objects, including moving cars, lampposts and in extreme cases into water and off cliffs.

And local schools have now taken steps to warn parents about the dangers of the app.

Greenfields Junior School in Hartley Wintney issued a newsletter before the end of term with a message from their harm reduction officer Alan Earl, from South West Grid for Learning.

He said: “It is very easy to become totally absorbed in capturing that elusive Pokemon but not being aware of the lamppost you are about to walk into or the ditch you have veered towards.

“Stranger danger messages are still applicable and teaching children not to be frightened but wary of strangers can be difficult in this setting. The context of meeting someone at a (Pokemon) ’Gym’ may give a child a feeling of safety within the Pokemon community that does not exist.

“It would be great to have a conversation around this and how care needs to be taken wherever you are.”

He did however outline how the media is very quick to jump on the darker side of stories, but there really were some great benefits to the app.

“The game itself is hugely entertaining and immersive and provides the opportunity for parents to engage with their children outside the home with technology.

“Herein lies the option to encourage children out of their bedroom into the real world for some exercise while still being able to use gaming technology.”

The app has certainly bought local residents together however, with local Facebook groups set up for app users to share their stories and give tips to people about where to find elusive characters.

Pokemon Go - Basinstoke Trainers covers Odiham and Hook while there is also a Pokemon Go Hart group, with all residents in the district able to share their achievements and the lighter more amusing moments that come with the game.

However, caution must be taken when joining such groups with people you may not know.