PARKING may be banned near Darlington Football Club's new stadium.

The borough council has won the support of Durham Police in a bid to stop cars being parked along the A66 bypass, near the Quakers' Reynolds Arena.

The council and police are asking the Highways Agency for a stretch of the carriageway near the stadium to be made a clearway - preventing parking.

The application comes after councillors warned the problem was "absolutely unacceptable".

The matter was discussed at a meeting this week of Neasham Parish Council, ahead of the Quakers's home game against Bristol Rovers, tomorrow.

Councillor Peter Foster, borough council ward member for Hurworth, said: "It is absolutely unacceptable. I made a formal complaint to the police. It is very dangerous and there could be a very serious accident there."

Police have urged motorists not to take risks and to use parking facilities at the ground.

A spokesman said: "Because the A66 is not a clearway, there is no restriction on parking.

"Even though what they are doing is dangerous, there is no action we can take. But we are backing the council in applying to the highways authority."

Council wardens issued more than 120 warnings to drivers flouting a residents' parking scheme in the Neasham Road area at the last two matches.

The spokesman said it would enforce the scheme with fixed penalty notices if the problem persists.