FURIOUS residents blockaded the entrance to Totton College today in protest at what they describe as a parking nightmare outside their homes.

Staff and students arriving at the college were confronted by the sight of placard-waving demonstrators standing across the entrance to the campus.

People living opposite the college on Calmore Road complained that students were using the residential street as a car park. They claimed that some of the students parked across the entrance to driveways, preventing residents from getting in and out of their homes.

Protest leader Vic Baker said: "It's a problem between 8.30am and 9.30pm. We are not objecting to the college expanding, but in this day and age they have got to provide parking for all their customers. They are planning to provide another 40 spaces, but that is just a token gesture."

Fellow campaigner Sheila Youlton said: "We bought a £300 fridge freezer and had to pay £15 to have it delivered. The van could not stop because of all the cars parked in the road and had to come back another day, which meant we had to pay another £15."

The protest was observed by Totton town councillor Dave Hibberd, who represents Calmore Road and is also a governor at the college.

He said: "We are working with the college to resolve the situation. A planning application to provide another 40 spaces, if approved, will take some of the cars off Water Lane and Calmore Road.

"The college has asked the students to share cars or use public transport whenever possible."

College principal Mark Bramwell said: "Our neighbours are concerned about car parking on Water Lane and Calmore Road. We do take their concerns seriously and would like to increase car parking on the campus at the earliest opportunity."

About 20 residents took part in the protest but eventually allowed vehicles to enter the campus.