PARENTS of pupils at a small infant school are bracing themselves for a parking "nightmare" when the new term begins a week on Tuesday.

They are angry that a bid to ease parking problems on the school run to St Oswald's Infants, in Church Street, Durham, has been turned down by county councillors.

because it is in a built-up area off Church Street, the school is the only one in the county with no on-site parking facilities. The area is included in Durham's first parking control zone, introduced by the county council during the summer, so parents dropping off and picking up the 120 pupils feared they would face costly charges. After parents raised concerns, the council agreed to introduce limited 15-minute free parking areas in Church Street.

The school also proposed using a small hard play area at the back of the site for parking for five members of staff. It would have required removal of a small section of stone wall, and the addition of a timber gate.

Objections to the plan were lodged by both the City of Durham Trust and the city council, claiming it was against "parking strategy". County planning chief, John Suckling recommended the school's proposal be approved.

But members of the county planning committee voted nine to one against the recommendation this week, citing safety fears.

The decision was greeted with anger by parents. Kate Ross, the mother of five-year-old Aidan, said: "The head, Heather Eaton, would not suggest on-site parking if safety had not been considered.

"It is detrimental to staff who will have to pay £1.50 to come to work, and to parents, as it would have created five more spaces.