MOTORISTS parking illegally near the scene of a fatal accident face fines and penalty points as police in Accrington get tough on drivers.

The sting on parking offences will begin on Monday and will cover streets in and around the town centre, including the bus station area in Peel Street.

The move has been welcomed by councillors in the light of an accident in which 61-year-old Joyce Rigby died near the bus station in October.

But police have denied any connection between the blitz and her death.

Police said Mrs Rigby, of Fairfield Street, Accrington, was trapped under a bus while she was crossing Blackburn Road on or near a zebra crossing.

An inquest into her death will be held next month.

Deputy Hyndburn Council leader Jim Dickinson, who is also the portfolio holder for transportation, said: "We have to be effective in monitoring parking in the area.

"There has been a fatal accident recently and it's one of the busiest areas of the town with large vehicles manoeuvring, so it's essential we monitor carefully around Peel Street and Blackburn Road."

Coun Peter Clarke, portfolio holder for town centre management, said: "I welcome this. It's a good idea if it prevents a further accident in the area."

Sgt Mark Porter, Accrington police town centre team leader, said: "It's quite clear there are obstructions there, that there are areas of danger.

"It's nothing to do with what happened there. It's something we have done over Christmas in the past.

"Rather than us spending our time day to day dealing with parking matters we need to have short, sharp blitzes to get people to understand they need to park with more consideration and less dangerously because we have other things to do as well.

"This is as a result of speaking to people who use the town and looking at the number or complaints we get about parking issues, be it obstruction, dangerous parking, or just inconsiderate parking.

"We are going to blitz people who park in that manner."

Drivers caught parking on single or double yellow lines will face a £30 fine, while more serious infringements will earn the offender a £60 fine and a three-point endorsement on their licence.

The move comes as police revealed they issued more than 150 tickets for parking offences during Operation Ebenezer in the two weeks up to Christmas Day.

It will target drivers across the board, from shoppers double parking, to traders loading and unloading in unsuitable places.

A bus driver was arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries following the accident in which Mrs Rigby died.