PARENTS who risk children's lives by parking illegally outside schools are being fined by police in a high-profile crackdown.

Officers have been out in force at Hempstead Infants School, near Gillingham, and Bligh County Infants and Junior Schools in Strood, targeting irresponsible motorists who park in the Keep Clear zones when dropping their children off.

There have been numerous accidents involving youngsters who, forced to cross the road between illegally parked cars, have not seen on-coming traffic. A few weeks ago, a child was injured outside Hempstead Infants.

Luckily, the boy escaped with minor injuries but the ambulance attending the accident in Hempstead Road couldn't get through.

Head teacher Kate Dadd said the problem had been growing. She stressed: "People need to follow the rules of the road and I welcome this help by Medway police."

Youngsters have also been injured outside Bligh County Infant and Junior schools, some by drivers opening doors, accidentally hitting those waiting to cross. Teams of officers have been there too, issuing £30 fines.

Inspector Tony Woods, of Medway police, said: "The purpose of the marked yellow 'School Keep Clear' zone is to give parents and children a safe, unobstructed place to cross the road. This area is being abused.

A spokesman for Medway Council said: "We are currently working with governors at Bligh Juniors to develop a travel plan that will look into the congestion problems and improve road safety. We will also be approaching Bligh infant school with the idea of a travel plan."