A concerned Deal resident has criticised members of a slimming club for parking so close to the hall it takes place in, after he was nearly involved in an accident.

James Hawthorne, 46, of Glack Road, has said he is extremely concerned with the parking around town in general but every Wednesday evening those attending Slimming World in St Leonard’s Hall take parking on Rectory Road to “a whole new level.”

He said: “It sort of defies the intended meaning of the organisation when members drive to the regular evening class, park as close as possible to St Leonard’s Hall and park on corners and pavements.”

After a close call with another car and several attempts to contact the club directly, Mr Hawthorne has contacted the Mercury.

He said: “This disrespect for parking laws nearly caused a serious incident. As I was coming round the corner, a car was racing down and nearly wiped me out. It is a blind corner as it is.

“From the bottom of Rectory Road, they are parked up on double yellow lines. I have just had enough.”

The project manager, who works in London, has said the issue has existed for more than a year but only recently has got out of control.

He said: “Maybe they could consider using alternative modes of transport to go to their weigh ins, especially in the summer time, or the organisation could advise their members to park with more consideration so as to avoid a serious incident.”

The weekly two-hour class from 5.30pm is one of 9,500 support groups that operates in the UK and claims to be the tenth largest in the South East.

Slimming World consultant Nicholas Luckhurst said: “Obesity is the largest killer in the country and it’s growing. This particular group is losing 11 stone per week and saving lives as well as saving the NHS hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“If it means slightly inconsiderate parking for two hours every Wednesday, I do apologise, but I think it’s a small price to pay.”

Mr Luckhurst does not want to see any accidents occur and has said he will talk to his members at the earliest opportunity.

He added: “Some are very overweight and would not be able to walk. Some are disabled, some are elderly.”

He also explained that his work at St Leonard’s Hall is financially helping to keep the hall afloat.

He has invited Mr Hawthorne to meet him and some of the members who are attempting to change their lives.