The pint-size patrollers have been marching up and down at Thorpe County Primary School dishing out leaflets highlighting the dangers of bad parking.

A total of nine pupils from the school in Atherstone Avenue, Netherton, Peterborough, also slapped the leaflets on the windscreens of every car which was illegally parked to remind parents of their responsibilities.

The children felt they had to act after a rising number of calls from parents expressing their concern over road safety and several complaints from local residents.

School council member, Tylar Hughes (9) said: "There can be really bad accidents when people park in the wrong place as it means that drivers sometimes can't see us children behind them.

"Also people who live near the school complain because they can't get out of their homes when mums and dads park outside their drives."

Pavandeep Singh Nada (9) said: "We have to make sure that no one is parking near our school to make sure no one gets hurt."

Iqrah Khalid (10) added: "We want to make the area around the school a safer place."

As part of the campaign, the children also designed posters saying "Park It Right" and "Think", which have been put up around the school.

School patrol officer, Diana Richards also launched a campaign to encourage drivers to park sensibly after her five-year-old son, Danny was nearly hit by a car outside the school.

Now the 44-year-old stands outside the school everyday, clad in a high-visibility jacket, telling people blocking the clearway to move on.

Mrs Richards said: "The main aim is to educate the parents, and children will often get through to them a lot easier than adults."

Acting headteacher Emma Anderson added: "The children are aware that there is a issue with parking and are really keen to try and find ways to make the area a safer place.

"They have been to meetings, held assemblies and they are the ones behind this new idea.

"If parents are not going to listen to the kids, then who will they listen to."

Pupils produce posters to prevent poor parking

PUPILS at St Thomas More RC Primary School, in Park Lane, Eastfield, Peterborough, have also been handing out letters and holding their own demonstration after a number of complaints of parents blocking the school's driveway.

Year 5 teacher Mirriam Keeling said: "We have written countless letters and newsletters to parents to raise awareness of parking issues at the school.

"But nothing we did, even standing at the gate both morning and afternoon, made any difference and so the children decided to act.

"They have designed posters, banners, slogans and flyers which they have been dis- tributing to parents and we just hope they have a much greater effect than the adults for the health and safety of the children."