PARENTS could face receiving a fixed penalty notice if they are caught parking dangerously and irresponsibly when dropping their children off at school in Blackburn.

Police have joined forces with and traffic wardens to launch a crackdown on inconsiderate motorists.

Officers are set to increase patrols around Blackburn's Holy Souls RC Primary School and St Gabriel’s CE Primary School, both in Wilworth Crescent, and St Stephen's CE Primary School in Robinson Street, following a rise in complaints from residents.

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Sgt John Sergeant, from the Blackburn north east NPT, said his police community support officers would be sent out to the area, along with civil enforcement officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council, to issue tickets to motorists parking illegally or offer advice where appropriate.

Sgt Sergeant said: "We have got quite a few complaints from schools about parking, parents causing obstruction and parking inconsiderately. It's an issue that's been bubbling for quite a while.

"We're putting an operation together to deal with any offences and give advice where appropriate.

"Over the next few weeks the Police Community Support Officers on their general patrols will be out and about, but will be told to specifically told to visit St Gabriel's Holy Souls and St Stephen's at dropping off and picking up times.

"A lot of it is around education, but we will issue tickets where appropriate."

In a bid to encourage parents to park less recklessly the school councils from Holy Souls and St Gabriel's held a joint meeting. The result was a banner being put up near to both schools encouraging motorists to park and drive responsibly.

In a newsletter to parents, a spokeswoman for Holy Souls wrote: "Congratulations to our school council who have been working with the school council from St Gabriel’s on how to make their arrival and departure from school safer.

"The children discussed the issue of parents parking in inappropriate places and the danger it posed to themselves.

"They came up with the idea of a banner to remind parents to drive and park safely. They then designed it and it is now proudly displayed on the railings just off Wilworth Crescent, on the way down to both schools.

"Please take note of what your children are requesting 'Park safe, drive safe, keep our children safe'"

A spokeswoman for St Gabriel's encouraged parents to park at the nearby Knowles Arms carpark in Pleckgate Road and walk their children the rest of the way.

Nobody from St Stephen's was available for comment.