BUNGLING workers in Blackburn have painted a 39-inch long set of double yellow lines - probably the shortest stretch ever seen in Britain.

The one metre-long lines in Swift Close, are so small they would only stop a unicycle or skateboard being parked.

Red-faced council bosses have admitted that the contractors were meant to paint four metres worth of lines.

And despite saying they were aware of the problem, the lines have been left as a 39-inch length for seven months.

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservative opposition on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the lines were a joke.

Coun Rigby said: "The only thing you could fit in there is a unicycle."

Paul Waters, head of roads policy at the AA, said it could be one of the shortest lengths of double yellow lines ever seen.

He said: "When you have got people with yellow paint tins anything can happen.

"The council would possibly have a job enforcing the restriction because the wheels of the car would not be on the double yellow lines."

The lines were painted last year when a residents parking scheme was introduced to stop town centre workers using the area for free parking.

The tiny stretch of double yellow lines is on a small corner between two parking bays.

And a resident from the street, who asked not to be named, said: "Before residents' parking was introduced in August town centre workers would come and park here from 7.30 in the morning."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said contractors had made a mistake and they had asked them to put it right.

He said: "The residents' bay should finish three metres earlier and the yellow line should be four metres long.

"Yellow lines are used on junctions and corners to prevent dangerous parking and maintain a safe environment for the residents and pedestrians."