COMMUNITY leaders in Rishton are appealing for drivers not to park on special kerbs in the town.

Police said that cars being parked on dropped kerbs lowered sections allowing wheelchairs or pushchairs onto the pavement was becoming a problem in the town.

Local councillors also say the problem is making streets in Rishton dirty, as street cleaning machines cannot tidy up properly around badly parked cars.

Now an appeal has been made to stop the problem, and drivers are being warned that £30 fixed penalty fines will be handed out where necessary.

PC Johanna Bourne, community beat manager for the town, said "Parking on dropped kerbs is a real nuisance in Rishton, it makes life both difficult and dangerous for people who use wheelchairs or scooters, and parents with children in prams. They can't use the dropped kerbs, and are forced to go on to the road to get round the car.

"Drivers parking on the footpath probably don't realise that it's an offence to do so, and that we can, and will, serve them a £30 fixed penalty notice for causing an obstruction."

Councillor Ann Scaife, Rishton representative, said: "This problem is also making the area dirty and untidy as the council's mechanical sweeper can't get round them to clean up properly, so please don't park on the footpath."