A PENSIONER who rides a mobility scooter has put 'polite notices' on car windows asking them to 'think before they park' after she found her path blocked.

Ann Sutcliffe, of Pleckgate, put paper printed notices under the windscreen wipers of several cars parked partly on the pavement.

She said the thoughtless parkers were narrowing the pavement making it impassable for scooter users and parents with prams.

The retired teacher, who bought her mobility scooter on Thursday, said she had felt too frightened to drive along East Park Road, Blackburn, where the pavement parking was particularly bad.

Since then the former Mill Hill primary school teacher has printed out ‘polite’ notices, which read: “Please can you think before you park."

She said: “It is just people's common sense - do not park so close to the wall.

"Until this week I had gone up East Park Road and wondered why mobility scooters were on the road and not on the pavement.

"I now know it's because of the cars. It's equally dangerous for mums and dads with prams walking past.”

Ms Sutcliffe has now received support from friends from across the country after she highlighted the issue on social media.

Friend Bridget Prideaux, a retired dentist, said: “Ann is one of the most thoughtful, generous individuals I have ever known. She lives alone and is fiercely independent.

"Her first thought was not for herself, but for mothers with small children and prams, which is typical of Ann."

In addition Ms Sutcliffe has reported the parked car problem to police, who told her they would send a community officer to inspect.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was also contacted by the former primary school teacher and asked to intervene.

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, who represents the area, said: "The road was designed nearly 100 years ago and that was not built for cars.

"Now we have cars on both sides of the road. There are too many cars and plenty of problems with cars parked there.

"I'm quite aggrieved for the woman with the scooter and I would be happy for her to contact me directly about this issue."