COMPLAINTS from residents and shopkeepers in the Evesham area have been pouring in to the district council as traffic wardens enforce regulations.

Five hundred £60 fines have been issued throughout the district within about the last 10 days and residents and shopkeepers are furious.

The council has taken on seven new parking attendants who are cracking down on unauthorised parking.

Residents used to parking outside their homes have had tickets slapped on their windscreens and shopkeepers parking in loading bays for too long have also been fined.

"This is my business and my home," said Sue Downes of Tranquility, High Street, Evesham.

"Where are we supposed to park? The warden didn't even warn me before issuing the ticket," Ms Downes added.

"We operate a delivery service from our shop. In the past, the warden has understood this and been lenient. But now if we park for half an hour outside our shop, we have to leave and not return for two hours," said florist Louise Jeynes.

Both shops said they may be forced to move their businesses elsewhere.

"This is totally unfair," said mother of two, Carrie Burgess of Briar Close, Evesham.

"I have lived here since February 2001 and have never had a ticket. There are no road markings and we are not allowed to park in our drives, because we haven't got dropped kerbs."

Broadway and Pershore have also been targeted but while some Broadway residents have been critical, the response from Pershore has been positive.

"Shoppers have told us they are pleased they are now able to park," said Carol Brewster, Pershore Town Council clerk.

Ann Marie Darroch, Wychavon District Council spokeswoman, said that prior to the crackdown, motorists had a two-week warning period and attendants had issued 280 tickets without fines.

"While parking restrictions have always been in place, there are now more parking attendants patrolling the district.

"Anyone parked illegally can expect to be issued with a penalty charge notice and will have to pay a fine - no exceptions," said Ms Darroch.