PEOPLE who live on a busy Worcester road claim a new business which sprang up overnight is driving them potty.

Pots Direct of Worcester started trading on the Droitwich Road on Saturday, three days after residents say the field had been bought.

Nearby householders - who claim the development is on Green Belt land - are furious the business has been allowed.

They allege there has been no official planning notice to trade on land sold for recreational use.

They also describe it as "an accident waiting to happen" as interested customers parked in the bus stop and lorries delivering goods have blocked the road.

"If they'd gone through the right channels we wouldn't be so angry," said Alex Kear, who lives opposite the field.

"At least we could have had our say, but they've just come in and started business straight away.

"I'm concerned about the effect this will have on my grandparents. They've lived here for 55 years.

"This business is making their lives a misery."

He said scaffolding was delivered last Wednesday afternoon and on Friday the 60mph stretch of road was blocked when articulated lorries delivered pots.

"There was an accident waiting to happen because of the traffic chaos," said the 23-year-old.

The residents claim they have been left frustrated by the business owners' timing.

As it was a Bank Holiday, no one was at the city council to deal with planning matters.

"If they can stay, we'll lose our faith in the city council," said Ron Smith, who has lived in his Droitwich Road home for 26 years.

"I've wanted to develop land at the back of my house for years, but because we're on Green Belt land I can't."

The owners of Pots Direct said they were in negotiations with the planning department.

"They had no problems when they visited us," said Jane Singh, whose husband owns the business.

"We feel slightly intimidated by the level of outrage. We're only trying to run a business.

"We're not doing anything wrong."

Worcester City Council planners were unavailable for comment, due to extended Bank Holiday leave.

None of the ward councillors for the area, Claines, was able to be contacted.

But Coun Rod Staines, who represents the neighbouring St Stephen Ward, today described the development as "an eyesore" and said he was concerned advertising placards were a distraction to drivers.