A concerned Nicol Street resident contacted The Press after receiving Kirkcaldy West Primary School's February newsletter which features a heart-wrenching, handwritten plea from the primary two pupil asking people to stop parking "in silly places".

The resident said: "When a child of six can ask this, it is time these illegal parking parents are sorted out."

Irresponsible parking at the school in the morning and afternoon means it is very hard for youngsters to get across the road safely.

Parents are using corners and double yellow lines to park their cars, increasing the volume of traffic around the school.

Headteacher Maureen Stapleton believes the issues experienced at Kirkcaldy West are not unusual.

She said: "There is an on-going problem with congestion and inconsiderate parking at the start and end of the school day.

"This is compounded by the general increase in the volume of traffic and is by no means isolated to our school.

"We are currently working on our travel plan which we hope will result in safer routes to school."

Fife Council's lead officer of travel plans Clare Hamilton-Sturdy believes this issue can be seen across Fife and the rest of Scotland.

• To read the full story pick up your copy of the Fife Free Press first thing Thursday morning.