PARENTS who were punished for parking illegally outside a school have had their tickets cancelled because the road is yet to be officially adopted.

Five motorists were slapped with a £30 fine when they went to pick up children from The Redeemer Primary School, Blackburn, after complaints about inconsiderate parking.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council said it would rescind the tickets as a one-off, because Jack Walker Way has not yet been officially designated as a highway.

The road was created when the school was built last year.

But one angry parent said that she received a ticket even though she always parks in the same place to pick up her two children, in front of the school in Jack Walker Way.

The mum, who did not want to be named, said: "Parking has always been a problem at the school, there's very few places we can go legally.

"Lots of parents park on the single yellow line area in front. It's not on zig zags, I'd never do that because it's dangerous."

Adam Scott, strategic director for regeneration and environment, said: "The council has received a large number of complaints about inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside the Redeemer School.

"Parking attendants visited the area as a deterrent."

The council said that all the cars ticketed on Wednesday were clearly contravening parking regulations, including on zig zags and single yellow lines.

But Mr Scott added: "The restrictions are currently marked out and the council is investigating the designation of the road as highway.

"During this investigation the council has agreed to cancel the penalty charge notices as a gesture of goodwill.

"We would appeal to parents to abide by the restrictions in the future for the safety of children."

Mark Power, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "We constantly get complaints from parents, residents and councillors about the problem of unsafe parking close to the school.

"This has included double parking, leaving vehicles on double yellow lines and zig zags and across drives.

"Speeding close to the school is also causing concern. To try and improve the situation we have issued reminders about the dangers and also patrolled outside the gates.

"The school has no way of knowing when or if the police or parking attendants will also be checking the area.

"We have written to parents to explain the situation and give a further reminder about health and safety outside of the school gates."