A CAR boot invasion near the accident-plagued A59 has prompted police to launch a road safety blitz -- and take down the organisers' advertising signs.

And the people taking advantage of a legal loophole which means they do not need permission for the events were today warned: "You could be putting lives at risk."

Police fear it is only a matter of time before a serious crash occurs on the road because of traffic jams around the giant sales taking place in places such as Osbaldeston and Gisburn.

There are now so many events that organisers are offering free pitches and extras such as bouncy castles, fun fairs and markets to attract the most customers.

Planning legislation means that farmers and landowners can hold up to 17 such events on their land every year without requiring local authority consent.

Now police are resorting to the only tactic they can in a bid to reduce the popularity of the sales -- travelling up and down the A59 removing illegal kerb-side posters advertising the weekend events.

Until this year, there were just two established car boot sales -- one at Clitheroe Auction Mart and one on the outskirts of Gisburn.

But that has increased dramatically within weeks of the car boot sale season getting under way this year. One -- run by local company Ribble Valley Promotions in Gisburn for 12 years - has moved to a new site after the farmer at their original site said he planned to run events himself.

Police now estimate tens of thousands of people are travelling to the Ribble Valley every weekend.

Inspector Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said there had been a recognisable increase in the number of car boot sales this year and added: "The problem is that these events can spring up without a moment's notice and there is nothing we can do about it.

"There is no real thought about getting on and off the site, and normally it's just through a little entrance.

"We end up with this situation where traffic is backing up along the A59, a busy, fast road, and if there is a crash because cars come round a bend to hit a queue then lives are at risk.

"In cases where mud gets driven onto the road from the fields, the council is clearing up to make the road safe and then charging the organisers.

"We hope it shows the organisers they can't compromise road safety at the drop of a hat."

Ribble Valley Council chief executive, David Morris, said: "We will do what we can but we are tied by planning regulations."

John Pratt, of Ribble Valley Promotions, said: "I know all about the police concerns, there are down here quick enough when there is a queue.

"We've made a point of including a 500m road within the site so the traffic queues there rather than on the road, but I know the other sites have problems."

Alan Porter, who travelled to Osbaldeston from Skipton yesterday to sell items from his house, said: "Everyone knows to look around here for a sale but there were a couple of hair-raising moments with the traffic backing up."

Christopher Simpson, from Blackburn who described himself as a 'veteran carbooter', said: "You have to get here at the right time to avoid getting stuck on the road."

Elaine Anderson, from Preston, said: "There are signs put up by the organisers to ask people to slow down, but it's whether anyone pays any attention to them."