SAFETY concerns about cars at school have prompted an Oxford primary to close its gates earlier in the morning.

Parents driving their children to Orchard Meadow Primary School are now unable to travel into the school site after 8.20am.

The Blackbird Leys school told parents about the policy in December, and sent out a reminder at the start of term.

A newsletter circulated this week said: "Due to the number of people who are on the school site and to reduce the risk of an accident, parents are no longer able to drive onto the site [after 8.20am].

"Therefore, the gates are locked.

"We ask parents who choose to drive to please park safely and considerately of other road users around school."

The school in Wesley Close also asked parents not to park outside in a manner that 'blocks the road and access for staff and neighbouring houses'.

It joins many schools that have previously urged parents to drive and park carefully around their site.

In October the Oxford Mail printed a front page story voicing concerns of several headteachers in the city, regarding road safety and persistent parking issues around their schools.

Pupils at Windmill Primary School in Headington even made their own 'parking tickets' to shame poorly-parked parents.

Nearby Cheney School also urged parents to take care, after a pupil was hit by a car outside the school in September.