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

Parents, school staff, police community support officers (PCSOs) and parking enforcers have been fighting a losing battle outside Church Cowley St James School, in Bartholomew Road.

They are attempting to stop "selfish" parents parking on double yellow lines, white lines and zig zag markings and have said more accidents could be caused., a persistent group of more than a dozen drivers have continued to ignore the parking restrictions.

But the school's headteacher Tom Walker admitted the problem is the worst it has been for years and said he plans to ask children to nag their parents about the issue.

There is no suggestion the year-four pupil's accident directly outside the school gates could have been avoided if the cars had not been parked there.

But Margaret Collier, a mother of four from Shepherds Hill, Greater Leys, said the incident had reminded parents and staff about the hazards of the illegal parking.

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

"It was a minor accident thankfully, but the fear of something worse happening is how it has left everybody.

"It has reminded us of the dangers and that we need to step up a gear with our campaign."

The youngster suffered minor injuries and spent one night in Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, headteacher Tom Walker said. Police have confirmed there have been no arrests following the incident.

Oxford City Council parking wardens moved cars on Tuesday, but Mrs Collier said it is not feasible to do this every day.

She said: "Every day 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 is not 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 said: "There have been times where my patience has been really tried out there.

"I have been at the school for ten years and it has certainly got worse. It is as if certain parents see it as their own parking bay. "

Mr Walker held a special assembly on Tuesday morning to tell the school about the accident.

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

But yesterday drivers parking on the yellow lines remained 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."