Police are threatening to tow away cars parked illegally and dangerously outside a school.

Officers have handed out warning notices to parents leaving their cars outside Meadowdale Primary, in Market Harborough, and have also spoken to offenders to make them aware that they are breaking the law.

Police said offenders risked being fined and having their cars towed away, if they did not start parking sensibly.

Beat bobby Pc Malc Roberts said: "We were alerted by residents who were concerned about what was happening. Parents are parking on both the sides of nearby streets and even on a roundabout.

"We have handed out warning leaflets.

"The parking is illegal and can be dangerous, especially with young children coming out of school in the afternoons."

"We will now be handing out penalty notices in future," he added.

"Also, if cars are blocking the carriageway to traffic, we will tow away the offending vehicles," he said.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Some parents do not think about what they are doing.

"They park on the roundabout and, it is not only inconvenient for people who live here, but it can also be dangerous. That is why we contacted the police."

The county councillor for the area, Sarah Hill, said: "I fully support the police action. It is all about the safety of the children."

Meadowdale school opened in 2001 to cater for 210 children and now has 240 pupils.

Site manager Andy Blyth said: "The safety of the children is paramount.

"We have parking spaces inside school for 40 vehicles but they are taken up by staff.

"However, we have developed a drop-off zone inside the school."

He added: "We encourage walking and cycling to school and, generally, half of our children come to school other than by car.

"But when the weather is bad, that changes."