ANGRY car owners swore and even threw shopping at Tesco staff because they were caught out by a new parking system, an employee of the supermarket giant has claimed.

Some workers were reduced to tears by the abuse, which came after new arrangements were introduced at the Castle Road superstore in Kidderminster.

One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Cashiers have had continual verbal aggression to such a stage some checkout staff have been reduced to tears.

"They've had baskets chucked at them, shopping pushed at them, been sworn at, all because customers don't read the sign at the barrier and inside the store."

The previous system - which was not always in full-time operation - gave the driver a ticket on entering the car park. Another ticket was provided by the cashier to get out. Shoppers now, however, use one ticket, which is issued at the barrier and must be taken for electronic validation at the checkout.

If customers do not take their ticket to the checkout, they cannot get out of the car park.

The system is also being operated full-time and there have been angry scenes as customers are asked to go back to their cars to fetch their ticket.

"Three of us have been reduced to tears," the employee said. "One man literally pushed a basket into one of the cashiers because they asked him for his ticket. One had shopping thrown at her.

"There is also a lot of verbal abuse, people are very, very rude to us and there is no need because we are only human beings doing a job."

The new system was introduced on May 9 following extensive in-store advertising. Leaflets were also handed out to customers.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: "In general, most customers have been very supportive of the parking restrictions as they are now able to get a space.

"A few customers have asked further questions which have been answered by members of staff who have explained in detail the new system and the benefits it brings."

Spaces being taken up by shoppers using the nearby Weavers Wharf development had already been freed up by the new system, she said.

"We have had issues with parking at the Kidderminster store, especially since other retail units have opened up nearby, and we wanted to make sure our customers could get a space when they need one."