A little red star is worth its weight in gold to illegally parked council comrades - its wardens are told not to ticket them!

Shoppers struggling to find limited short-stay parking will be pleased to know it is being used by 'essential' Malvern Hills District Council workers.

Up to 60 of them are given £100 annual parking permits but if they were members of the public, they would be fined for using them in short-stay spaces. The red star takes care of it.

Head of environmental services Ivor Pumfrey - himself a member of the red star club - said 'essential users' need a car for the job and may have to carry equipment as part of their role.

The practice, which has been going on for at least two years, was rumbled by town centre trader Lee Harrison.

His staff noticed that annual passes were being used in short-stay spaces in Grange Road. As a test, they tried to use their pass in the same way, and got a ticket almost immediately!

Mr Harrison, owner of Select World Travel, said: "Why is there one rule for some and not others?"

When he complained to the council, his fine was rescinded and he was told that council staff would be reminded not to use short-stay spaces.

However, this week he has seen cars sporting the magic red star parked in Grange Road for long periods.

Mr Pumfrey said the length of stay would depend upon operational circumstances.

Asked why staff could not walk the short distance from long stay or council car parks he said this was not practical if they had equipment.

"It's about the value council employees provide to the community," he said. "We need to get the best efficiency out of the people we are employing."

The majority of 'non-essential' council staff have free office parking on MHDC land.

However, the days of the red star may be numbered. Mr Pumfrey said they may have to find a new secret sign as red stars can easily be bought in shops.