POLICE are launching a mini blitz on drivers who are parking illegally in the town centre following calls for action by community leaders.

Parking problems were a hot issue at Droitwich Spa Town Council's planning committee meeting.

Town mayor councillor Terry Spencer (Con - Droit Central) said people park on pavements and in disabled spaces because there is no traffic warden pounding the streets.

"A perfect example is people using the bays in Victoria Square for shopping and some are cracking the slabs by parking on the pavement," he said.

Cllr Joe Doody (Lab - Droit West), who uses walking sticks, told members he asked a shopkeeper to move his vehicle from a disabled space and was told the trader was in the middle of business and would not move the offending vehicle.

There were also complaints about people parking all day in the High Street.

Cllr Jan Bolton (Con - Droit Central) said: "I'm a shopkeeper and abuse of short stay High Street parking is stopping trade coming into this part of Droitwich.

"Some drivers leave cars for hours and I watch people who might just want to pop into the bakers or butchers struggling to find a space."

Councillors, who met last Monday, agreed to contact the police and write to Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) after Cllr John Cook (Lab - Droit West) accused town traders and employees of abusing High Street parking.

Wychavon's acting inspector, Paul Crumpton, said that he was aware of the concerns and added that while a traffic warden regularly patrols in Droitwich Spa, a crackdown on those flouting the parking laws is planned in the near future.