POLICE in Leominster have issued an urgent message to parents to ensure children are kept safe.

West Mercia Police said it had received "several complaints" about parking around schools at picking up and dropping off times.

The local safer neighbourhood team has, and will continue to, speak with drivers as and when they come across problem parkers on its patrols, PSCO Stephanie Harper said.

She said parking wardens from Herefordshire Council had also been out and dished out six fines in Leominster for parking on double yellow lines and causing obstruction.

"We are asking parents to park responsibly for the safety of the children attending the school," she said.