A crackdown is being planned on drivers who park on pavements, to make streets safer for blind people.

Brighton and Hove City Council is drawing up an agreement with Sussex Police and parking giant NCP which would make it easier for such cars to be reported and moved.

The initiative comes from recommendations made by a cross-party scrutiny panel which will now be considered in detail by the policy and resources committee.

Pavements could be decluttered to ensure there is a straight path, at least 1.3m wide, which is free of street signs and bins.

The panel also suggested that council booklets should have a minimum type size, agendas should be made easier to read and facilities at meetings for people with hearing or sight difficulties could be improved.

It suggested council staff be given more training in understanding deaf and blind people's needs.

There are 174 deaf-blind people in Brighton and Hove and 14 per cent of residents have some form of disability.

Deaf-blind means people have sight and hearing loss which leads to problems with communication, mobility and accessing information.

Since last November, councillors have been assessing how much progress has been made implementing recommendations of the Deaf, Blind and Deaf-Blind Action Group.

Councillor Sue Paskins, who chairs the scrutiny panel, said: "Pavement parking is a symbol of how visually-impaired people need more consideration in all sorts of ways.

"The panel was pleased and surprised with progress being made towards meeting the needs of deaf-blind people."

Councillor Paul Elgood, chairman of the equalities forum, said: "These issues have an impact not just directly on this specific group of people but affect the wider population too."