PARENTS are set to be fined for parking too close to school gates in a groundbreaking crackdown.

Lancashire County Council bosses want to become the first area in the country to make parking on zig-zag markings punishable by a £60 fine issued by their wardens.

They said parents at the county's 686 schools had kept ignoring the markings - putting children's safety at risk - as the warning carried no realistic threat of punishment.

A road safety group welcomed the move, but a councillor said it was 'hypocritical' at a time when the council was increasing bus fares for pupils and cutting the number of services to schools.

Zig-zag lines are advisory and only carry the threat of punishment if a police officer judges that a motorist is causing an obstruction.

But officers have rarely been able to devote time to patrol areas around schools to catch those blocking roads.

So county council bosses are starting the move to change by-laws, which is expected to cost £90,000 in administration costs, and make zig-zag markings mandatory.

That will enable parking wardens, who have more time to patrol communities looking for parking offences than police, to stage regular crackdowns around schools.

Campaigning road safety group Roadpeace welcomed the move.

A spokesman said: "It is amazing that parents continue to put the safety of their own and other people's children at risk and we have to protect our youngsters."

County Coun David Whipp, leader of the Lib Dems, said it was hypocritical of the council after "forcing" children off school buses by increasing fares.

But he added: "The key thing should be the safety of children and parents ought to respect warnings whether or not there is a legal requirement to do so."