DRIVERS parking illegally in Bewdley's Severnside North have been warned they will be fined following a crackdown by police.

A new initiative has been launched to tackle residents' concerns and for two weeks, beginning on Saturday, warning notices will be issued to anyone caught leaving their vehicles in the road. Anyone found parking illegally after that period will be fined £40.

Letters detailing the scheme have been delivered to residents and notices have also been placed in the windows of nearby cafes.

Sgt Melanie Paley, of Bewdley police, said: "Parking in this area of Bewdley has been a concern for some time and it was also raised as a priority issue at the PACT meeting held earlier this month in Bewdley.

"It's important that we take a measured approach to address this issue, balancing the quality of life of local residents with the needs of the visitors to the town.

"By using this two-pronged approach - education and then enforcement - we hope that visitors to Bewdley will have the chance to find alternative parking, while people living nearby will feel reassured that the police and local agencies understand their concerns and are taking the necessary actions to address them."

A report on the progress of the scheme will be given at the next Bewdley PACT meeting on Tuesday, September 5.