POORLY-parked cars blocking access for fire engines can have devastating consequences, the service has said.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue is expanding its 'Are we getting through?' campaign against poor parking around the county, saying even seconds of delay can be the difference between life an death.

"I’m asking everybody to think before they park - yes, it may be convenient for you at the time, but what if it was your house or your loved one we needed to get to?" said assistant chief fire officer Jim Mahoney.

"Inconsiderate and dangerous parking has long been an issue across the service and, as more households have more than one car, the problem will only grow.

"If we can’t get to a fire or an accident because we can’t get our fire engines through, it greatly restricts our effectiveness."

The Echo has helped to launch the campaign, with readers identifying potential problem roads in their area where the positioning of marked bays makes blockages more likely.

Drivers may not be parked illegally, but the service is urging motorists to check whether a safer option is available, even if it is a bit further away.

Roads identified thus far include Parley Road, Spring Road, Stanley Road and Victoria Road in Bournemouth, Carisbrooke Road, Chaffinch Close, Curzon Road, Freshwater Drive, Guernsey Road, Swift Close and Wentworth Drive in Poole, Avon Buildings, Portfield Road, Riverlea Road and Somerset Road in Christchurch and Tamar Close/Severn Road in Ferndown.

The smallest fire engine needs a minimum of three metres, or the width of two cars, to pass safely.

The service says a particular area of concern is parking on roads near schools which are "often difficult to pass through safely, especially when cars are dropping off or picking up children".

Bad parking can also affect roads by fire stations, delaying on-call firefighters en-route after receiving a call.

Visit dwfire.org.uk/education/road-safety-education/are-we-getting-through