CRITICS fear plans to carry out compulsory criminal checks on parents who provide lifts for children's sports and social clubs could leave many without any transport.

The move - which would force those who drive other people's children to and from matches or other events three or more times a month to apply for clearance from the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) - has caused outrage among community clubs across Redbridge, who believe it would put volunteers off helping them out.

Parents found giving children lifts without an ISA check - and clubs allowing them to do so - will face criminal prosecution and a £5,000 fine under the scheme, which will become mandatory from November next year.

Charles Price, 'Youth Chairman' at Woodford Rugby Club, said the plan - which would see parents records continually monitored by the CRB once they are signed up - could leave many teams unable to play matches outside the borough.

He said: "We and other clubs rely completely on the good will of parents to give our players lifts to away games.

"We don't have team buses, so without parents giving lifts it simply won't be possible.

"Parents are doing us a favour by giving up their time to do this already, but this new scheme would mean they had to go through the hassle of getting a criminal check done aswell.

"This won't just affect us, it will affect all groups who deal with young people, such as the Guides and Scouts. It just defies common sense."

These views were shared by John Freeman, of Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, who coaches under 16s football at clubs across Redbridge.

He said: "It would be a nightmare for lots of football clubs, because the parents are the football clubs, and if you don't have them on board you've got a problem.

"People do it on a casual basis. This would just totally overcomplicate things.

"It's overkill by the Government."

Alexandra Hughes, who runs the Alexandra School of Performing Arts in Woodford Green, said:

"The idea is good in principle but it would take alot of work to get everyone signed up.

"Luckily lots of my parents are teachers or teaching assistants so already have their CRBs done."

In a statement Sir Roger Singleton, chairman of the ISA said the move was designed to stop paedophiles who lose their jobs after committing offences against children "upping sticks" and moving elsewhere undetected.

He said the ISA check would end the complications and expense of repeated Criminal Records Bureau checks.