EMERGENCY access to a Tenbury residential home is being threatened by round-the-clock parking on double yellow lines and concerns have been raised about the safety and well-being of its elderly occupants.

Long-running parking problems outside the Old Rectory in Church Street have resulted in emergency vehicles and visitors being unable to gain access. In addition, staff have not been able to get the home's minibus past parked vehicles and day-trips for elderly residents have had to be cancelled.

Last year a resident was carried up Church Street to an ambulance after it could not gain access to the home. Since then the problem has continued with cars blocking access both day and night.

Heather Salter, operations manager at the Old Rectory, said: "We should not have to transfer people when they are ill. The double yellows are completely ignored and it's an accident waiting to happen. When I started working here I could not believe how difficult it was for emergency vehicles to gain access.

"Doctors and nurses need access, as well as fire vehicles, and visitors have been stranded here because they cannot get out. It's a worry as health and safety should be a priority; we see it as a danger that has got to be addressed. It's their home and the residents want to feel safe."

A minibus that takes residents to social events and medical facilities has been unable to get out on occasions, leaving elderly people upset and confused.

"It should be a human right for people to access the facilities they want. Trips have been delayed sometimes and when that happens the residents get agitated - they change their minds about going out and find it very disappointing," Ms Salter said.

"If residents have a hospital appointment we take them in the minibus and, if we cannot get out and they miss an appointment, it could be another six months before they get another.

"Anything that discourages people not to park here would be welcome. I would like a sign saying we need emergency access so people realise there is a very important reason why we are asking them not to park here."

PC Wendy Saunders, the new local policing officer for Tenbury and Teme Valley North, said action was already being taken.

"I have spoken to the highways authority because a lot of the signage is not very good. They are going to re-paint the lines and signage so there can be no confusion and I will also be going around with the street scene warden.

"We would hope that residents will be sensible about their parking and mindful of their obligations but where there are blatant offences drivers will be ticketed."