A PARENTS' campaign to introduce parking restrictions outside a primary school has been backed by the local MP.

Hyndburn's Greg Pope visited West End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle, to see for himself the dangers to pupils caused by traffic outside the school gates.

And today it was revealed that education bosses are looking to make improvements some time next year.

The Labour backbencher received a petition from Claire Thelwell, calling for single yellow lines to be placed on Aspen Lane opposite the school.

Claire, 35, of Banbury Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, started the petition after her seven-year-old daughter Jennifer was bumped by a car as they tried to cross to the school.

The part-time teaching assistant, said: "She wasn't hurt, but it frightened me that she could have been, so I started the petition.

"We just want a single yellow line restricting parking at peak times because we don't want it to affect the residents too much.

"A lot of parents have been very supportive. We had five pages of signatures."

Headteacher Janet Aspinall said: "The school is 100 per cent behind the petition. People think that we are on a quiet road and just park wherever they like.

"It is very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. Children cannot see the road properly because of all the cars parked."

Mr Pope will take up the issue with the Highways Department of Lancashire County Council.

He said: "I was pleased to be able to visit such a friendly school as West End Primary and see the parking problems for myself.

"A limited parking restriction would not only improve road safety for children and their parents but also benefit other local residents."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said the issue was due to be discussed at a Hyndburn district liaison meeting next week.

He added: "They will be looking at this issue with a view to putting in measures to prevent the problems at West End Primary School some time next year."