SIGNS designed to combat "dangerous" parking outside schools near Coalville have been installed by police.

The signs, hung outside two schools, call on parents to "think before they park" and warn their actions could "endanger a child's life".

Officers in North West Leicestershire put the signs outside Hugglescote and Ellistown primary schools.

The local branch of Leicestershire Police said on Facebook that parking is now a "priority" area.

The force added it hopes the message might "make parents think" about where it is safe for them to stop rather than "putting children at risk for the sake of walking a few less yards".

One of the signs reads: "Parking on zigzags is selfish and dangerous", while the other adds: "Think before you park, you could endanger a child's life".

This is not the first time school-run concerns relating to Hugglescote Community Primary School have been raised.

In April, plans to expand the school were approved by Leicestershire County Council despite members of the community saying inconsiderate parking was already an issue in the area and that the expansion would only increase this.

Speaking at the meeting to decide the plans, one neighbour claimed residents in the area are often "trapped in or out of [their] own driveways" and have to "plan [their] days on the basis of escape". He said this was "not entertaining" for those impacted.

The resident questioned the conclusion by the council's highways department that there was "ample parking" in the area. He said: "This can only be the case if [the department] is accepting illegal or discourteous parking".

Some residents have questioned the impact the police's new signs will have. One person responded to the force's Facebook post with the opinion parents will "still park as close as possible".

Another resident said the signs were "great", but felt they needed to go hand in hand with more patrols. She added of the school-run: "It's getting dangerous."

Commenting on the problem around Ellistown school specifically, a second person agreed more patrols were needed, but added it was "nice to see" the local police "taking the initiative".

The man continued: "On any morning or afternoon it's clear to see numerous acts of dangerous, careless driving and a miriad of other motoring offences. Examples of illegal, obnoxious, careless or irresponsible parking are plain to see."