Police have launched a crackdown on illegal double parkers who put lives at risk.

They have warned that anyone who double parks faces being fined or having their car towed away.

Officers are targeting car owners who live in the Walsingham Road, Carlisle Road and Poets Corner areas of Hove.

Leaflets will be put through front doors warning that anyone who leaves a vehicle double parked could face prosecution.

The problem is particularly acute in Walsingham Road where cars and vans are parked side by side throughout the day and evening.

The move follows a similar crackdown in the nearby Aymer Road area two years ago.

Homeowners threatened to barricade the street to prevent commuters and shoppers leaving their cars there to avoid paying on-street parking charges in central Hove.

Many complained that they were forced to leave their own cars double parked because of the problem.

John Ticehurst, assistant divisional officer at Hove fire station, warned them that illegal parking was putting lives at risk.

He told The Argus: "In some of the narrower streets, it is sometimes impossible to get our vehicles through because of double parking.

"If we are called to a fire, we need a certain amount of space to get the ladders off the vehicles and through to the buildings involved.

"If there is not enough room between parked vehicles, that is going to delay us and the bottom line is it could cost lives."

Police, the fire brigade and Brighton and Hove City Council launched a joint operation to target selfish parkers.

Several cars were towed away and £30 fixed-penalty tickets were handed out to other vehicle owners.

Sergeant David Bettis, of Hove police, said: "Selfish double parking causes an obstruction and can be dangerous.

"At times, vehicles have been left so that there has not been enough room for emergency vehicles to get through.

"We are asking motorists who live in the Walsingham area to park only in designated parking bays there."

Double parking constitutes wilful obstruction of the highway and is an offence under the Highways Act 1980.

Motorists face action which ranges from a £30 fixed-penalty notice to having their cars towed away.

It will cost £105 to reclaim vehicles from the city council's car pound plus a £12 daily storage charge.

Police community support officers will be leafleting the area over the next few days.