NEIGHBOURS claim traffic congestion near popular playing fields could cost someone their life are calling for residents' only parking.

Alan Isherwood, of Woodland Drive, Clayton-le-Moors says the streets are so full with cars around Wilson Playing Fields that fire engines and ambulances are unable to pass.

He also said around 70 residents had signed a petition also calling for more car parking spaces to be provided on the site.

Speaking at the first Clayton-le-Moors and Altham area council meeting, held at Clayton Civic Hall, Pickup Street, Mr Isherwood said: "One of our biggest assets is Wilson Playing Fields but it is causing a life threatening problem.

"There are a great deal of cars arriving on the scene with all the different runners and football players but there is not enough room. "Around 70 residents who are strongly in favour of doing something about it have signed a petition .

"It is a danger to life on that estate and you cannot move there on a busy day. It needs some additional car parking and part of the area should be for residents only. Cars are parked on both sides of the road and you wouldn't be able to get ambulances or fire engines down"

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said that he would ask the leisure board to look into the feasibility of creating more parking.

He added: "There is money in next year's budget for it but we won't be able to put them in tomorrow. I also warn residents that it is not free. It involves staff and it often involves you having to purchase a permit. That is how it works in Blackburn."

An ambulance spokesman at the Altham base said: "Personally I have never experienced a problem getting on that estate but I can certainly envisage it happening especially in the football season.

"Fire engines will just push cars out of the way but ambulances are not big enough to do that."