TRAFFIC wardens were unable to blitz school run parents outside schools because council bosses had failed to make the right traffic orders.

Opposition councillors today criticised the blunder, and called for reassurance that there were no other meaningless zig zag lines around Blackburn and Darwen.

Senior councillors had instructed Blackburn with Darwen's new team of traffic wardens -- who took control of enforcing parking regulations from the police on October 1 -- to make patrolling streets around schools a top priority.

But after being dispatched to the schools, members of the 20-strong team were told there wasn't much they could do ... because there was no traffic order in place to back up the lines marked on the roads.

It is believed the error was spotted while wardens were still issuing warnings to drivers before mandatory ticketing came into force last Friday.

Now 53 'no stopping on school entrance markings' are being rushed through to give wardens the power to hit parents with the £60 fines.

According to the Highway Code, the yellow zig-zag lines mean 'Keep entrance clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children.'

And according to Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, it's a rule which many parents have been ignoring.

He said: "It's one of main complaints we have had and up until now, there has not been much we could do about it because the police were responsible for enforcement and their coverage was, at best, patchy.

"So we made it a priority to get out to the schools and discourage people from parking on the lines, because it puts the safety of children at risk.

"Nothing would make me happier than not to see a single ticket issued and people only have themselves to blame if they are caught."

Conservative councillor Colin Rigby said: "I'm disappointed these regulations aren't already in place.

"I don't think there is anything more selfish than parents parking on these lines in front of a school."

Ian Richardson, from the council's highways consultants Capita, said that a period of review of regulations was almost complete, ensuring that all markings matched with an order.

A council spokesman said several schools had already been in contact to praise the new traffic attendants, because just their presence had stopped parents parking on the lines.

Parents currently caught parking on the lines are receiving warning notices, but could receive a proper ticket at any time, Coun Kay added.

Schools affected include:

Blackburn: Audley Primary, Brookhouse County Primary, Daisyfield Primary, Feniscowles County Primary, Griffin Park County, Holy Souls RC, Meadowhead County Infant and Juniors, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary, Sacred Heart RC Primary, St Aiden's Primary, St Michael with St John's Primary, St Paul's RC Primary, St Peter's RC Primary, St Thomas' Primary, Witton Park High School, Pleckgate High School, Our Lady and St John's High, Wensley Fold Primary, St Stephen's Infants and Juniors, St Bartholomew's CE Primary, St Antony's RC Primary, St Anne's RC Primary, Crosshill Special School, Shadsworth Primary School.

Darwen: Avondale Primary, Lower Darwen County Primary, St Joseph's RC Primary, Darwen Vale High School, Sudell Primary, St Peter's CE, St Barnabus CE Primary.