LAWS which allow cowboy clampers to inflict misery on the lives of Worcester drivers WILL be changed, the city's MP has revealed.

Worcester's Labour MP Mike Foster told your Worcester News he has secured a Home Office pledge that the rules surrounding vehicle immobilisation will definitely be overhauled once an in-depth Government review is completed later this year.

Mr Foster said ministers are now considering all possibilities - including banning the practice of clamping altogether.

The announcement comes the day after clamping boss Rebecca Meakin, of Rowencroft Immobilisers, was told she faces prison for blackmailing Worcester motorists into handing over hundreds of pounds in fines.

The owner of one of the city's most notorious clamping hot-spots has said he is no longer using a notorious Midlands clamping firm due to the adverse publicity it has generated.

But Mr Foster said it is a change in the law which would have the greatest long-term impact. Speaking to your Worcester News directly after a meeting with Home Office minister Vernon Coaker yesterday, he said: "The minister has made it clear that change will happen.

"We listed concerns like the size of the release fines, signage, the existence of companies demanding cash only, and the allegation they just lie in wait for someone to park.

"The Home Office is scrutinising all the options, ranging from outlawing the process completely to a beefed-up registration scheme for clampers, and everything in between.

"My view is there should be a cap on the fines, an appeals process so people can dispute a claim, and much tighter controls."

Mr Foster's announcement comes after a spokesman for the owners of Farrier House revealed they are no longer using Midlands Parking Contracts to catch motorists parking on their land.

The firm provoked fury among several Worcester News readers after charging hundreds of pounds to release people's vehicles from land around the city.

"We had so many problems with them," the spokesman said, speaking exclusively to your Worcester News.

"We are trying to open a business there and we just don't need the bad press.

"We're trying to establish ourselves in Worcester as a good place to come and do business, and the last thing we want is people having a bad idea about Farrier House."

However, motorists should still be extremely wary about parking around Farrier Street - a number of businesses in the area still use clamping firms to enforce parking restrictions, including on land beside Farrier House.