RESIDENTS living near Holy Cross College are hoping to curb a parking problem that is driving them to distraction.

Householders in Brierley Street say that students have started to hog parking spaces since they discovered a nearby fire gate to walk onto the site.

After forming a residents association to address the issue, they are inviting college principal Mike O'Hare along to one of its meeting.

Members say council street cleaners and rubbish collectors are unable to do their job in the daytime, and they now want residents-only parking.

In the meantime, they are calling for college authorities to keep the gate closed.

Residents' committee member Paul Willan said: "If it is a fire gate, then it should just be for fire engines.

"We realised when we bought the houses that would be parking problems when matches were on at Gigg Lane, but now you would think the football was on all the time.

"The problems with parking have just got worse over the years. What we are hoping for is something to be done before the students come back in September."

The college said that emergency gates had to be left open for emergency access.

Mr O'Hare said he would be able to attend a future meeting, or invite residents into college to discuss the issue.

However, he said the gate had to remain open for health and safety reasons, and the college could not dictate where pupils parked.

Mr O'Hare said: "We have suggested that residents contact Bury Council to look at the possibility of double yellow lines or parking permits for residents."