CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to move a pedestrian crossing have won a fight to get their voices heard after a two-hour protest outside council headquarters.

During the demonstration, they held a 'Save Tean High Street' placard at a window where councillors were holding a cabinet meeting.

Finally, they gathered in the reception at the council offices until they were promised the chance to air their concerns at a meeting, which will be held within the next few days.

Opponents also confronted Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways and their county council representative, as he made his way from council headquarters in Stafford.

The puffin crossing is part of a £500,000 road improvement scheme in Tean by Staffordshire County Council.

But campaigners say the plans will take away 16 metres (52ft) of parking space, currently used by passing shoppers and up to 35 delivery vehicles a day.

Traders' leader Lynn Plant, who owns a High Street hairdressing salon, said they staged the protest, because they had not been consulted.

She said: "We did not know what else we could do. No-one was listening to us.

"We have now got what we wanted – a meeting – and that is all we have been asking for.

"We have got 11 shops and the village is thriving. Traders are reliant on passing trade and if customers cannot park they will not stop. Shops will not be able to survive."

Among the protesters was school crossing warden Lionel Marshall, whose wife Angela runs the village post office.

He said: "If they do away with the parking, it will affect everyone's business. They are making the road so that big lorries can come through – they are not considering the welfare of the village."

Mrs Marshall said: "If they put the crossing outside the post office, there will be no room for customers to pull up."

Mr Maryon told the protesters: "There has been public consultation and the majority of people are in favour of a puffin crossing.

"We have written to 1,600 people and this is what they want. The county council has got to provide a safe crossing. This is about improving safety."

He said after the protest: "We have debated this over and over again. If they have evidence that could sway the issue we will always be prepared to listen. But shouting at me in the street is not what democracy is about.

"I have to balance all the considerations, but road safety has to remain my number one priority."