Lottery punters flouting traffic laws outside a Shipley shop are gambling with people's lives.

That was the message from traffic police cracking down on motorists parking on double yellow lines outside the Co-op in Wrose Road.

Sergeant Brian Pickford, traffic manager at Eccleshill police station, said the build-up of traffic meant it was difficult for travelling vehicles to see pedestrians on a nearby zebra crossing.

And, he added, the problem was at its worst on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when people were rushing to buy their lottery tickets.

"We will no longer be giving motorists a verbal warning," he said. "Tickets will be issued.

"The parked-up cars are obstructing the view of oncoming traffic - it's particularly bad on National Lottery evenings."

Residents in the area who complain about the illegally-parked vehicles blocking their driveways have been subject to verbal abuse by motorists.

Sgt Pickford said that on one evening 53 cars parked on the double yellow lines.

"It is a £20 fine for parking on double yellow lines," he said.

"And if motorists park on the zigzag lines near the crossing they face a £40 fine and three penalty points.

"We don't want to give out tickets. We are not in the numbers game. We just don't want people to park there."

Sgt Pickford pointed out that there was plenty of off-street parking available near the Co-op.

"We know that the majority of people who commit the offence are local," he said.

"But when we stop them, they claim they didn't realise. If anyone is unsure about the law, they should call in at their local police station and ask."

Tony Henry, chief executive of Yorkshire Co-operatives, said: "We always support the police in their application of the law."

He said the company was still looking at installing some short-stay parking at the front of the shop for customers, but as yet had not got the backing of Bradford Council.

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