CHILDREN have come close to being hit by cars due to 'nightmare' parking outside a South Essex primary school.

Several near misses involving children have occurred outside Willows Primary School in Basildon as a result of poor parking, it has been claimed.

The headteacher of Willows Primary School is working on the issue to make the roads and journeys safer for families. It comes after issues with near misses involving children and vehicles being dumped outside the school.

Headteacher Tom Robinson met with Richard Holden MP; Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst and other community figures.

Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay Mr Holden said the issues are "among the worst" he's seen.

He added: "The local council and the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) need to take action and make the street safer for school children, including putting in a proper crossing and preventing vehicles from driving down the pavement with more bollards. It'll take a lot of work, but to me, there's no price on the life of a child."

Mr Hirst said there is "urgent" need for "immediate" action to improve safety outside the school and protect pupils at the busiest times of the day.

Tom Robinson, headteacher at the school added: " We are working hard with everyone to find a solution to the parking issues around the school to ensure that pupils are safe, the impact on our community is minimal and that the solution can be long lasting."

Essex County Council said it has supported the school in January to help deliver road safety workshops.

A spokesman added: "We absolutely recognise the issues and can reassure local residents that partners are working with the school to resolve them."

South Essex Parking Partnership said it "will continue" to work with the school with the goal of improving parking behaviours, and "to carry out regular patrols to enforce" parking restrictions.