TAXIS which leave their engines running while parked in The Cross and Broad Street in Worcester are causing pollution and putting off customers, claim worried shop owners.

The city council's licensing committee has received several complaints from both shoppers and retailers that noise and fume levels coming from the vehicles are unacceptable.

There is also anger that taxis are parking on double yellow lines, and that they are using the part-time rank in St Swithin's Street while waiting until there is room on the full time rank on The Cross - often meaning delivery vehicles are unable to offload.

Jean Woodyat, assistant manager at H Samuel in The Cross, said she feared customers were deterred from entering the shop because of the 'chaos' outside.

"We've got a door curtain which we use but it doesn't keep out the smell of the fumes," she said.

"They park right across our front door and often on double yellow lines - our delivery driver can't get near us and has to park down the road.

"And customers often say there are arguments going on out there - it's chaos."

Anthony Forrest-Hay, of A Forrest-Hay jewellers, said although he believed the taxi service in Worcester was very efficient, it had become overcrowded in the 30 years his store had been in The Cross.

"Taxis are parking outside the taxi rank and causing difficulties in terms of pedestrian safety and the delivery of goods," he added.

Lesley Borthwick, secretary of Worcester City Taxi Driver's Association, said drivers might be leaving engines running in a bid to keep warm but acknowledged that they should not be doing this.

However, she blamed the problem on the city council providing too few ranks.

"People are complaining and we've complained - we want more rank space.

"They keep licensing more taxis because they say they can't restrict trade but there is nowhere for the vehicles to go," she said.

The licensing committee will decide on Tuesday whether to look further into what action can be taken to alleviate the problem.