CARELESS parking in a West Devon village is causing a hazard to pedestrians and other road users, to the point that even the local bus is unable to use its scheduled stop.

Villagers have become concerned with parked cars on narrow roads through South Zeal, which regularly block access to their bus stop and village shop steps.

The problem has resulted in buses having to bypass the bus stop, which is used by residents commuting to and from Okehampton.

The buses have been experiencing difficulty driving through the bottom of the village, where cars have been parking on both sides of the road.

Owner of Carmel Coaches Tony Hazell said: 'It is a struggle to get the bus through the village.'

Mr Hazell said drivers tend to park near the school and shops.

'A lot of people seem to park opposite the turning to the school, which has two no parking signs displayed.

'What's annoying is that there is a car park at the bottom of the village, which only ever has a few cars in it,' he said.

'Why can't people just use the car park and catch a bus?'

Mr Hazell said cars blocking the roads had always been a problem.

'It was a nightmare two years ago,' said Mr Hazell.

'We actually withdrew the school bus and the kids had to walk further.

'People do park in ridiculous places.'

West Devon Borough Cllr James McInnes said: 'I know that the parish have expressed their concerns with the problems of the blocked access to the bus stop.

'I will be speaking to highways officers and the parish council to discus the issue, to try and resolve the problem.'

Drivers have also created hazards by parking next to the village shop and close to the church steps, blocking through traffic in the village.