COMEDIAN Frank Bollard finds parking in Bright Street, Leigh, one big joke -- but it's not a laughing matter.

The retired international cabaret star has called in help from local councillors in a bid to save the only green verges in the area, which he claims are under threat from parking and wagons visiting an expanding neighbouring factory.

Frank, 52, claims residents of both Bright Street and Linden Grove are sick of access problems and are angry over alleged plans to tar over the grass to make way for parking.

He carried out a poll which showed residents of over 30 homes in the vicinity were 100 per cent against the move.

But a director of the company, Victoria Foods, which employs 180 staff preparing ingredients for the home baking industry, Kevin Loftus, said the firm was a victim of its own success. He said: "The last thing we want to do is fall out with our neighbours.

"We are in discussion with council officers, councillors and residents to try to improve the lot for everyone.

"Our success over the years has meant extra jobs and extra people at the site. Obviously we have had to expand but there has only been so much we can do because we are landlocked.

"We want to try to make life better for everyone, but we are still at the discussion stage."

Frank, who lives on Bright Street, and runs a vehicle body shop in Hindley Green, claims that 32 tonne wagons are parking in the street, along with works vehicles and that emergency services are unable to get through.

He said an ambulance was unable to manoevre to reach his own expectant daughter, Nichola, just before Christmas.

He said: "Wagons are running over and spoiling the verges, but that grass is the only greenery here and we want to save it for our grandchildren to play on.

"It is unbelievable the number of cars and wagons using the area.

"We don't want Linden Grove widened. The factory, which has now grown too big for the site, should move."

Cllr Anne Turnock said: "We have met residents and the factory chiefs. Victoria Foods want to widen the road, they are doing well at the moment and access is difficult.

"Council engineers are looking at the matter in a bid to alleviate the problem."