BAD parking is "putting lives at risk" after a fire engine was stuck on a road with cars parked on both sides.

A fire engine was forced to reverse out of Whinfield Road in Claines because cars had parked on both sides of the residential road.

It has led group commander Thom Morgan of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to speak out against inconsiderate car parking.

He said it is putting everyone's lives at risk if fire engines cannot get by during an emergency, and in narrow streets, people should only park on one side of the road.

Resident Nick Sturdy said thankfully the fire engine was not on blue lights responding to an emergency.

"It is worrying. Not just on Whinfield Road, either - there have been a few times driving in other areas of Worcester where I have just squeezed through and thought a fire engine or ambulance wouldn't have a chance.

"One of the firefighters jumped out and ended up saying to the driver to reverse as they couldn't make it through," he added.

"I could be wrong, but they may have dropped some notes through the letterboxes of the houses nearby. I hope they did anyway.

"They reversed back up to the road and parked by the New Inn, and a few families came out to see the fire engine."

When parking, residents have been told to remember to park close to the kerb, keep their wheels straight, fold in wing mirrors, obey the Highway Code and road markings, and not park too close to corners.

Mr Morgan added: "We urge people to think before they park.

"Emergency vehicles need more space than an average car. Inconsiderate parking can obstruct emergency vehicles and cause delays.

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"If you would struggle to fit a car or van through parked cars, it is very unlikely a fire engine and other emergency access vehicles would get through.

"Have you left enough space for a fire engine to pass through? Every second counts when someone needs our help.

"Bad parking can delay fire engines and emergency vehicles from reaching serious incidents in your area and could put the lives of your families, friends and neighbours at risk.

"The way cars are parked could be the difference between the emergency services being able to save a life or not."