Police have issued a warning after reports of traffic cones being moved to "obstruct the highway" in Blackburn.

Blackburn officers have received reports of residents placing cones outside or near their house to save a parking space. On one occasion, police were called.

You cannot put traffic cones outside your house as Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 warns that it is illegal to obstruct the highway without permission from the local highway authority.

It says: "If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine or both."

Officers are asking for this to stop adding that a fully legal vehicle can park on a street unless it is on a dropped kerb or blocking someone’s driveway.

Steven Charnley, PCSO for Blackburn North said: “Recently we have received reports concerning residents placing cones outside or near their house to save a parking space. On one occasion this caused a police patrol to be deployed.

“This letter is to explain why residents cannot do this just to reserve a parking place.

“Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 warns that it is an offence to obstruct the highway without proper permission from the local highway authority.

“It explains ‘if a person without lawful authority in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine or both’.

“We are asking for this to cease. If a vehicle with correct documentation wants to park on the street, they are well within their right to be parked there unless it is on a dropped kerb or blocking someone’s driveway.

“We thank you for co-operation in this matter.”