Concerns have been raised about parking problems in an area of Brampton.

The issue of parking at Howard Gardens was brought to light at a parish council meeting.

During term-time pupils have been known to park in the residential street, which is a short walk from the school.

"It's an on-going problem," said councillor John Harding, who said that the school's reserve car park has 66 spaces but is sometimes only half full.

Residents' permits were discussed and there was also talk of improvements to William Howard School's car park in Old Church Lane, including lighting.

Brampton's county councillor Lawrence Fisher said: "This has been a problem ever since I was elected onto Cumbria County Council.

"We've looked at it several times.

"One of the ideas was to put double yellow lines down there, which one of the residents suggested.

"But it was pointed out to them, if we put double yellow lines down there visitors to their houses wouldn't be able to park there.

"Also who's going to police it? It's the same with the residents' parking zones.

"There aren't any other residents' parking zones that I'm aware of in Brampton.

"If you introduce one, then virtually everyone else is going to want one.

"It's a difficult one.

"The school have got to solve it and - I'm only speaking for myself - I don't think Cumbria County Council would contribute to lighting going down to their car park.

"It's the school's problem."

Chris McAree, headteacher at the school, explained that the school has been in regular contact with residents on the street and had met with members of the council in the summer and at the start of the academic year.

He said: "We continue to be committed to finding a solution with the city council and parish council to the parking pressures around the school site.

"As a school over the half term break, we have increased parking by nearly 20 spaces on our own site, which we hope will help alleviate some of the casual parking in nearby residential streets during the day.

"We are currently not aware of any new concerns being raised by the residents of Howard Gardens since last May, but will of course respond positively to any correspondence we receive, as our commitment to being a good neighbour is a sincere one."

Meanwhile, a meeting with Brampton Primary School was held in early October to discuss the wider issues of parking at the two schools.

Mr McAree said positive suggestions on practical steps to address the issues were made.

The parish council decided to write to the headteacher asking him to consider exploring how the school can make better use of its reserve car park, including installing lighting, to discourage people from parking in Howard Gardens.