WHAT do you do when there is no room to park by the side of the road? Answer: Paint your own parking space.

That is what some creative soul has done in a busy part of St John's in Worcester causing uproar among the street's residents.

The illegal white lines, providing four parking spaces, have appeared in front of Roger's Barber Shop in Church Terrace.

Owner Roger Lloyd said it was good for business: "We've noticed them for a month or so but they make a lot more sense because more cars can park there and it's one of the few good things that improves traffic.

"We don't know who did them. Some clever person thought of this idea.

"It means more cars can park and pull out without bumping into each other, which was the case before."

But residents of Church Terrace are not so happy and say the lines could have serious consequences.

"It's a bit like a private car park for the barber shop, isn't it?" said one resident who did not want to be named.

"It's blocked the whole terrace off and if there was something wrong at the school they wouldn't get a fire engine down.

"Drivers are reversing into oncoming traffic," said another resident.

"It's a matter of time before someone gets killed. The whole Terrace is up in arms."

Tom Comerford, senior engineer at Worcester City Council said he had informed the police.

"It's an unauthorised marking and the police will take appropriate action," he said.

"The lines are in a dangerous position.

''If somebody who parked there caused an accident they would be at fault."

He said the lines could not be burnt off because that would leave a permanent mark, which people would continue to use as a marked parking area.