DRIVERS are being warned their cars will be towed away after 'many' motorists ignored parking bans put in place for overnight road resurfacing works.

Dorset Council's Highways maintenance teams moved in to begin resurfacing work around Alexandra Gardens, on The Esplanade in Weymouth, on Tuesday night.

A tow-away zone has been put in place for the duration of the works, which will continue to take place today and tomorrow.

But despite the tow-away zone and cones reminding people not to stop there, cars were still parked along the Alexandra Garden loop.

The council has now warned residents that their cars will be towed if they are not moved.

The road will be closed from 8pm until 6am for the work to take place.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "Many cars ignored the 'no waiting' cones and continued to park in the area despite there being a tow-away zone in operation.

"We need to repair the road and will be removing cars in the way over the next few evenings.

"Please help us and yourselves by not parking in this area overnight."

Councillor Ken Whatley, Weymouth town councillor representing the Melcombe Regis ward, said: "If the area has been coned off then people should not be parking there.

"Highways officers have got to do the work on the road and night time is the best time to do it so it is important that residents are mindful and let them get on with it.

"If they do not then, unfortunately, they might get towed away."

However, other councillors and community leaders have expressed their sympathy for drivers who were unaware of the road closure and were unwittingly breaking rules.

Weymouth town councillor Tia Roos, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward, said: "It would be fantastic if people were just mindful and considerate of what is happening in the area. However, I completely understand that some residents may not have got the message. Communication is key here I believe."

Melcombe Regis Community Group leader Dave Birchall thinks that drivers are not entirely to blame for parking in a no parking zone as he says road closure signs are often left up long after a road has reopened so residents are unsure whether rules are still in force.

He said: "The problem is we often get signs saying 'road closed' long after the road is actually open again which leads to confusion for drivers so it may have been that the people who parked on the Alexandra Gardens loop didn't actually know if the road was closed or not."

For more information on upcoming road closures, visit the Dorset Council website.