CHILDREN joined forces with the police on Friday (November 21) to protest against dangerous and inconsiderate parking outside their school.

Youngsters at Aycliffe Village Primary School in County Durham made posters urging parents to drive and park responsibly as part of a week of action in Newton Aycliffe.

The aim was to highlight speeding, congestion and inconsiderate parking at the beginning and end of the school day, with primary and secondary school pupils taking it in turns to campaign alongside police and community support officers.

Great Aycliffe Road Management and School Safety Group arranged the activities to coincide with Road Safety Week – a national appeal organised by the charity Brake.

Chairman Councillor Paul Kjenstad, who is campaigning for 20 mph speed limits outside all schools, said: “We staged a similar week earlier in May, which was a great success. It is such an important issue and we need to raise awareness.”

Jed Gargan, headteacher of Aycliffe Village Primary School, said: “A lot of our parents do park further away but we do get some who double park or block people’s drives.

“If you get cars parked on both sides of the road it becomes very congested and even when cars travel at the speed limit it is too fast.”