OUTRAGED people living in a Worcester street have issued an ultimatum to the city council, threatening militant action if they are not given parking concessions.

Car owners in Edgar Street fear visitors to the cinema at the new Warner 'citiplex' - due to open in November - will take up all the parking spaces in the narrow residential streets nearby.

But they have been angered by the council's decision to issue parking permits to residents of the streets which are valid only for weekday evenings and Sundays.

They claim they will mount road blockades if the authority does not change tack.

"It worked during the oil crisis and we're now considering doing the same to make the council see our point of view," said resident Eleanor Allen, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of 22 households.

"We could park across the end of Edgar Street, which would bring traffic to a grinding halt.

"Alternatively, we may park illegally and face prosecution. We're quite prepared to go to court."

The residents - who have been joined in their protests by people living in Severn Street and College Precincts - accuse the city council of "dumping" the Warner Village Cinema in Friar Street on them.

The protesters claim the city's transportation sub-committee agreed earlier this year to issue permits that would entitle Edgar Street householders unlimited parking in the nearby King Street car park for £30.

But the chief engineer, John Day, told councillors this week this was not the case.

Councillors voted on Wednesday to distribute £10 tickets per vehicle, allowing people on-street parking between 8pm and 6am on weekdays and all day on Sundays.

"We didn't ask to address the meeting because we thought we'd been promised the £30 tickets," said Mrs Allen.

"The council must listen to us. Many residents in Edgar Street are elderly and don't know where they should put their cars during the day."

Mr Day said he understood the residents' concerns and had met with ward councillors yesterday.

"If the residents flout parking regulations or impose a blockade it will be a matter for the police to deal with," he added.

Insp Mark Mullinger, geographic inspector for the city, said: "An officer will be visiting the residents' spokesperson today to discuss their views.

"We hope that any comments about irresponsible actions that could cause potential risk to life, or the safety of the residents, were made in the heat of the moment."