PARENTS who park illegally when dropping their children off in school are being given on-the-spot fines by police.

Officers handed out £30 fines and verbal warnings to parents at Christ the King school, Calderbrook Avenue, Burnley, after repeatedly warning them about illegal parking on zig zag markings.

And police said although the latest action was at Christ the King, the problem of irresponsible parking was throughout the borough.

Coal Clough with Deerplay community beat manager Rachel Parr said: "Safety of children is paramount and this action has a last resort after warnings. The situation will continue to be monitored and further tickets will be issued to parents who continue to disregard the law."

Headteacher Jim Graves added: "We are really pleased police have the same priority as we do and that is the safety of children. We have seen an improvement since the police action."

Police Community Support Officer Andy Jackson said: "Officers in Burnley are working hard to reduce road casualties. However, it is not our sole responsibility - everybody has a part to play in reducing road traffic accidents and that includes motorists themselves.

"We are experiencing numerous problems with people parking on zig zag lines particularly outside the nursery school on Basnett Street and we believe this is an accident just waiting to happen.

"The police and the school wish to remind parents that the yellow zig zag lines are placed outside schools to keep that area free of parked vehicles for the safety of all pupils. The yellow zig zags mean parents should not park there, not even to drop off or pick up children."