An accident which hospitalised a primary school pupil has re-ignited a row over parents parking directly outside school gates.

Parents, staff, Police Community Support Officers and parking wardens have been fighting a losing battle outside Church Cowley St James School, in Bartholomew Road, Cowley, Oxford, attempting to stop parents parking on double yellow and white lines and zig zag markings, and have warned more accidents could be caused.

However, a group of a dozen or more drivers continue to ignore restrictions.

Headteacher Tom Walker said the problem was the worst it had been for years and said he planned to ask children to ask their parents not to park there.

There is no suggestion the pupil's accident directly outside the gates on Monday after school ended could have been avoided if the cars were not there.

But Margaret Collier, a mum-of-four, from Shep- herds Hill, Greater Leys, said the incident was a reminder of the hazards.

She said: "I was mortified. It was shocking seeing lots of children crying and my daughter in tears.

"It was a minor accident thankfully, but it has reminded us of the dangers and that we need to step up a gear with our campaign."

The youngster suffered minor injuries after he was hit by a car, and spent the night in Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Police confirmed there were no arrests.

Parking wardens moved cars on Tuesday, but Mrs Collier said it was not feasible to do that all the time.

She said: "Everyday there are at least 15 cars parked where they should not be.

"They are blocking the lollipop lady's view of the street, which means she isn't able to do her job properly.

"The teachers have asked people not to do it and they have been confronted with abuse from parents. The parents are just not listening. I think it is selfish."

Mr Walker added: "I've been at the school for 10 years and it's certainly got worse. It's as if certain parents see it as their own parking bay."

He added: "If the children start nagging their parents, then that is what is going to change things."

But today drivers parked on yellow lines were unrepentant.

Kieren Brown, from Coriander Way, Greater Leys, said: "Parking here is convenient, that is the only reason I do it."

Steve Pullen, from Stanley Road, said: "There are so many exits to the school it makes it a dangerous area.

"If there was one entrance there would be room for more parking."