POLICE are asking inconsiderate parents who park illegally when dropping off and picking up children to use some common sense.

Parents of youngsters at Harrowgate Hill Primary School, in Thompson Street West, Darlington, are regularly parking on double yellow lines and zig-zags when dropping off and collecting children.

Despite officers from Darlington police attending the school, some parents are also driving without seatbelts and stopping in the middle of the road to drop their children off.

In a letter sent to parents, Sergeant Jonathan Malcolm said: “All of the above offences that were being committed are a real risk to the safety of the children using the roads and walkways outside the school.

“I have real concern that it is only a matter of time before a child crosses between illegally parked vehicles and gets hurt.

“The lines that are in place are there to prevent this and if parents stopped in the correct places this would leave these areas clear and safe.”

To tackle the problem, police and council workers will be attending the school over the next coming weeks to deal with offenders.

Sgt Malcolm said: "I urge those who utilise vehicles to transport children to the school to find alternative means to get children to school, or find another location to park your vehicle."

PCSO Craig Murray added: “At some point, there have been some near misses. The other thing is collisions between cars, because they are getting really close.

“All we ask is for people to use some common sense.”

Anyone who would like to discuss the problem can call Sgt Malcolm on 101.