SHOPKEEPERS are "going bananas" after contractors working on the Severnside North flood barrier scheme took over a portion of the Dog Lane car park it has been claimed.

Birse Construction has been appointed by the Environment Agency to carry out the first phase of the multi-million pound project by next summer and is operating from a base set up on the town's main car park.

Frank Baillie, Worcestershire county councillor for Rock and Bewdley, said he had been approached by incredulous shopkeepers, who feared trade would be down as a result in the crucial festive period, and irate customers.

He added: "Shopkeepers are going bananas -it's one damn thing after another.

"And I spoke to a man who said 'I came here to shop because I couldn't park in Kidderminster and now I can't park in Bewdley!'

"It's crazy. I know they have their job to do but couldn't it have waited until after Christmas?"

An Environment Agency spokeswoman told the Shuttle/Times and News: "We need to start work as soon as possible to make sure people are protected from flooding."

She was not aware of the exact number of spaces taken over by contractors but said it was less than originally expected.