INCONSIDERATE parking costs lives – that is the stark warning from Canterbury firefighters, concerned about a lack of access during the school run.

Crews parked their fire engine outside Sturry Primary School last Thursday, to warn of the dangers of badly parked cars.

At busy periods, roads surrounding the village school become no-go zones for emergency vehicles, because of cars left double parked, at junctions or too far from the kerb.

Officers from Canterbury fire station arrived at 3pm as parents were collecting their youngsters, and handed out leaflets urging motorists not to block the roads.

Among them was firefighter Mark Tottman, who said: "It came about because of complaints about parents' parking. We needed to check out access at busy times, and ensure fire engines can get through.

"We've had to deal with a fire at the old people's home next door to the school before, when we were slowed down by vehicles obstructing access. It could also mean we have to park 15 metres away, instead of next to the scene."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's Risk Reduction Manager Mick Smith added: "Fire engines are wide vehicles and need plenty of space to get to incidents safely without damaging our fire engines or other people's vehicles. Stop and think before you take the easy option and leave a car double-parked. It could cost lives."