TRADERS claim over-zealous traffic wardens are driving customers away from town centres.

Two employees from a specialist private sector firm have bolstered the depleted ranks of traffic wardens in the Moorlands. And they have helped increase the number of tickets issued in the past year by over one third.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, which is responsible for enforcing on-street and off-street parking regulations, now employs six wardens to patrol the streets of Leek, Biddulph and Cheadle and the villages.

Businesses in Biddulph claim a vendetta is being waged against their town and four wardens regularly patrol streets and car parks.

The authority has admitted the majority of complaints it receives about parking enforcement are about tickets issued in Biddulph. Fifteen per cent of the 6,035 fines issued across the district last year were cancelled at a loss to the council of £33,793.

The council has said that one third of those had been given in error.

Traders fear fines will escalate when the service is transferred to a private firm in the summer.

Biddulph West Councillor Frank Harris, pictured below, is concerned the tough stance is driving customers away.

He said: "You can have the most wonderful attractions, but people will not come if the streets are full of muggers and I am afraid some of our wardens are regarded like that.

"Some of the wardens are predatory and prowl the streets in pursuit of easy targets. Shoppers and shopkeepers feel victimised.

"The car park budget is in deficit and I think the council is desperately trying to put it right. When the new company comes in, wardens will have the power to clamp and then it will get even worse."

Kim Corbishley, who owns Darling Buds Of Biddulph in the High Street, added: "It is frightening customers away from the High Street. The other day there were three wardens on the car park and one in the High Street.

"It is hard enough to run a business as it is."

Leek councillor Steve Povey also reported an increase in complaints from residents. He said: "They target the area I live at about 7pm. You would think they would have something better to do at that time."

Councillor Stephen Ellis, portfolio holder for planning and development on the district council, denied that the council was targeting motorists to boost the council coffers or that wardens were overzealous.

He said: "The number of parking charge notices issued in the year to Wednesday, February 24, was 6,035. Of those penalties, 898, or 15 per cent, were cancelled.

"During the preceding 12 months, 3,813 fines were issued, of which 750, or 19 per cent, were cancelled. The number of penalties has risen because the secondment of two parking enforcement officers from a private company has enabled us to provide a more comprehensive service."