A GROUP of placard-waving residents who staged a demonstration outside Totton College have been accused of risking an accident.

College principal Mark Bramwell urged the demonstrators not to repeat yesterday's protest, in which 20 people gathered outside the Calmore Road entrance to the campus.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, the campaigners were highlighting the problems caused by students parking in roads surrounding the college. Mr Bramwell confirmed that the campus aimed to tackle the issue by providing an extra 40 parking places next to its existing car park.

He added: "I share the concerns of the people who took part in yesterday's demonstration but would ask them not to do it again.

"In situations such as that, there's always the risk of an accident. It's a congested area first thing in the morning and we must avoid any danger to staff, students and the residents themselves.

"Having made their point I hope the protesters will now leave us to pursue planning approval for the additional parking spaces."

Mr Bramwell said residents who refused to support the demonstration had telephoned him at home over the weekend to warn him about the protest.

He added: "I contacted all my colleagues and made contingency plans to avoid a chaotic situation and reduce the potential for an accident."

However, the demonstrators accused students of causing a hazard by using Calmore Road and other narrow roads in the area as a car park.

Protest leader Vic Baker said: "The college is planning to provide another 40 parking spaces, but we see that as a token gesture and believe an extra 80 places are needed.

"We've had problems for years and have got nowhere, so we decided to get a group together and put our point across."