DANGEROUS parking is a huge problem for many schools - but a legal loophole may mean parents who ignore yellow lines on the road could escape without suffering punishment.

It was brought to the attention of Ringwood councillors at a meeting on Friday that the yellow zigzag lines found outside schools are not supported by a road traffic regulation order.

Therefore, it may not be an offence in law for people to stop on them while dropping off or collecting their children at the school gates, although the Highway Code does specify cars must not be parked near a school entrance.

If a driver refused to move on when asked to do so by police, any enforcement action then taken might not later stand up in court.

Councillors at the planning, town and environment meeting unanimously agreed to hold talks with Hampshire Police and New Forest District Council to try to close the loophole.

Ringwood town clerk, Terry Simpson, said: "The purpose of the zigzags is to improve pedestrian safety and reduce accidents involving children going to school.

"The adoption of an appropriate order making it an offence to stop or park in those zigzags will enhance that aim."

The discovery was apparently made after the council began investigating a number of complaints from the public about parents parking across the entrance to the cemetery in Hightown Road when dropping their children off at Ringwood Junior School.

But Mr Simpson believes the problem is not just confined to Ringwood and is rather a district-wide issue.

"We have contacted the district council who told us that if there was a problem outside particular schools, moves can be made for an order to be placed as part of the Schools Travel to School Plans, but if we can make a blanket order on this, that would seem like a sensible idea."

Town council planning chairman, Nigel Clarke, said: "We want to align legality with common sense."

Inspector Darren Miller of the Western Roads Policing Unit said: "Road markings and roadside furniture are there to warn and advise motorists of potential hazards.

"Hampshire Constabulary encourages all motorists to respect roadside markings in accordance with the Highway Code, especially zigzag lines in front of a school. These should be adhered to by all motorists for the safety of children.

"Those who ignore signs or markings may be dealt with by the police."