SHOP owners say drivers parking on double yellow lines near their business are causing accidents.

Marie Batty and George Batty, owners of the Bat-House Emporium in Rigby Street, Nelson, first raised the issue of motorists regularly parking on the lines outside their shop in January.

But despite raising the issue with the council and calling for more traffic wardens to clamp down on the problem, they say nothing has been done since and that the problem still persists.

They say the problem has got so bad that it is causing accidents and near misses.

On Thursday morning, the couple say they saw a red Fiat crash into another car parked at the front of their shop, causing damage to the vehicle and the shop wall.

Mrs Batty said: “The red Fiat crashed into a white car that was parked near the front of the shop.

“It caused damage to the white car and brushed against the side of the shop on the pavement, causing scratches on the side of the wall.”

Mrs Batty opened the gift shop with her husband two years ago after they had previously spent two years at Nelson market.

The shop sells various items including dreamcatchers and gothic t-shirts.

She added: “The situation is no better than it was a few months ago.

“People are parking on double yellow lines around Rigby Street and on Manchester Road and there is nowhere for people to park.

“Rigby Street is a narrow street and if people weren’t parking there all the time when they shouldn’t be, maybe there wouldn’t be a problem.

“I feel the situation is causing crashes and a number of near misses that we’ve seen.”

The law states that people must not wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby signs.

Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.

A double yellow line parking fine is usually £70 and if paid within 14 days, is reduced by 50 per cent.

Lancashire County Council says it carries out regular patrols to enforce parking restrictions and will look into the issue which has been raised.

A spokesman added: “We carry out regular patrols to enforce parking restrictions, and will consider making extra visits if people let us know there is a particular problem.

“We will look into the issue which has been raised.”