SHOP owners and pedestrians are calling for a clampdown on illegal parking in Malvern.

Ellen Cronin, owner of Malvern Curtains on Belle Vue Terrace, is among several town centre traders complaining that motorists regularly ignore one-hour parking restrictions and leave cars all day, stopping customers parking.

She said the district council's Street Scene wardens had given out notices but people ignore them and carry on parking illegally.

"The Street Scene people have been great and police have been round in the past," said Mrs Cronin.

"But I don't think there's enough manpower to enforce parking regularly."

She will raise the matter at the next meeting of traders on Thursday, February 15.

Nigel Morris, of Malvern Post Office, said: "We have a real problem with people parking outside all day.

"Business is hard enough, but with people stopping customers parking it's even worse - we need regular patrols out here."

Colin Butler, of Tudor Close, Malvern, photographed three vehicles parked illegally during one trip to the town centre last week. He said he was incensed by the lack of consideration for pedestrians and drivers.

"Malvern's arteries are being clogged by inconsiderate parking," said Mr Butler.

Fran Doidge, of the Centre of Wellbeing on Worcester Road, said: "If customers want to make an appointment or pop in for advice, no one can park outside."

Sargeant Sara Goodman, of Malvern police, said: "We do try to enforce parking regularly but we have to fit it in with everything else. We work in partnership with the Street Scene team and if it's getting worse, we'll try to do some more."

Gordon Morris, Street Scene team manager, said his wardens could only issue warnings, not tickets. They did patrol the town and notify police of any motorists parking illegally.

"It's frustrating for us, but we only have powers to enforce parking on council-owned car parks, not on-street parking.

"Until the issue is decriminalised, which costs a lot of money for the council to do, we are powerless to enforce this area."

The complaints come days after two Street Scene wardens were seen parking outside the post office on double-yellow lines.