THERE was a big interruption as parish councillors and residents of Newland met to consider a controversial plan to introduce double yellow lines throughout the village.

Apparently a coach trying to make its way along the road had been stopped by a car parked some 2ft away from a roadside wall, and could go neither forwards nor backwards.

Seeking to remedy the situation yellow lines advocate Councillor Eric Hale called the police – only to find out that the car in the frame belonged to fellow parish councillor Bill Evans.

Bill apparently has mobility problems which meant he had to park with room to open his door wide – although somebody did point out that he could have parked facing the other way.

With that situation resolved the vexed issue of parking in Newland remains, says Ostrich pub landlady Kath Organ.

"With a lot of work on properties the problem is even worse now with contractors trying to park,"she said.

"One of the more amusing suggestions so far is building an underground car park beneath the church and churchyard.

"Unless somebody is prepared to give a bit of land for parking, perhaps making themselves a bit from pay and display, it doesn't look as if we'll ever entirely solve the issue.

"Most times though it is practical to double park in the main road without blocking it."