RESIDENTS in Anning Road, Lyme Regis,have fallen foul of police for taking parking problems into their own hands.

People have been putting traffic cones and stepladders on the road.

But now section commander Inspector Alan Jenkins has written to residents warning them they are breaking the law.

He said: "It has come to the attention of Dorset Police that various items, primarily stepladders and traffic cones, are being placed on the public highway in Anning Road - presumably in order to reserve parking spaces for residents.

"This may constitute a danger to pedestrians and other road users and be a possible offence under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highways Act 1980."

Insp Jenkins warned that someone could get hurt and residents could face civil litigation if they do not stop obstructing the highway. The police will also consider prosecuting people who obstruct the highway and cause danger to other road users.

Lyme Regis Mayor Barbara Austin, who lives in nearby King's Way, said it was time the problem was sorted out.

"I do sympathise with them - it is the same problem in King's Way. I do feel that residents should have a parking space in front of their houses. It has been suggested that residents pay to park their cars but there are no guarantees that go with that and I don't think they should have to pay, they pay enough in road tax already. If that was the case it should apply to every housing estate.

"I know one person who came home from work one Saturday and had to drive round the block three or four times to find a space - that's wrong."

Coun Austin said the problem was worse in the summer when guesthouse owners encouraged their visitors to park in Anning Road.

"We do have a car park at Woodmead Halls they could go to," she said.

Coun Austin suggested that the chairman of the local Hoteliers and Guesthouses Association, Wayne Bradbury, should be invited to any meetings with the county council to discuss the problems.

Mrs Christine Evans, who lives in Anning Road, circulated a petition in April to Lyme Regis Town Council, West Dorset District Council, Dorset County Council and MP Oliver Letwin calling for permit parking.

"This problem has been going on for many, many years and it's an all year round problem," she said. The latest response they have had was a letter, via Oliver Letwin, from the county council's director of environmental services, Miles Butler, saying that the number of schemes requested and the need for full consultation was very time consuming.

Mr Butler said the Purbeck area was currently being looked at before West Dorset's consultation could commence.

Mrs Evans said: "We are going up the list. We hope by towards the end of the year we will be having consultations. We are willing to pay. Obviously we don't expect to park outside our houses but Anning Road is a long road and at least it would save us having to park half a mile away."