A GROUP of Evesham traders have won the support of town councillors in their bid to alter parking restrictions along High Street.

Workers at the Bait Box, Headlines hairdressers and Crookes the Barber wrote to councillors expressing their concerns.

Traffic wardens have booked customers parking outside the shops, near Evesham station, which has a no waiting between 8am to 6pm restriction. The traders believe the order is adversely affecting business.

Councillor Simon Widdus, speaking at a meeting on Monday, said: "I'm forced to agree with the traders. We ought to support the lifting of parking restrictions and give help to local businesses. I know the parking attendants are doing their job but we do know they've been overzealous in the past."

Cllr Roma Kirke added: "There are three businesses affected by these restrictions. One is a hairdressers and I defy any lady to go to a hairdressers and not need a couple of hours. If it's completely opened up we'll have people parking there all day - my suggestion is there should be a two-hour restriction during weekdays and nothing at weekends."

But deputy mayor Cllr Jo Sandalls said: "We need to encourage people to come and use local businesses, but what bothers me is we are setting a precedent. If you do this for one business you have to do it for all of them."

Cllr Widdus disagreed: "We're dealing with this case - I propose we look at this and not ifs and buts. If there are other cases in the future we will consider them then - you can't make a decision because of other things down the line."

Members voted in favour of asking Worcestershire County Council to alter the restrictions to two hours from Monday to Saturday, with no restrictions on Sundays.