A FED-UP vicar has said he is tired of drivers filling his church's car park while they nip to the shops.

The Rev Rob Burles, of St John's Church, in Whitbourne Avenue, Park North, says people are abusing the facility.

"This has been going on for about six months now," he said. "More or less since the new shops were built.

"And over the last three or four months it's got worse.

"Of course there is still construction going on in Cavendish Square and when shops open up there that's going to create even more hassle.

"There is a free car park but people don't want to use it because it is 50 yards further away.

"We have put up signs asking people to not use the car park if they aren't using the church or the church hall but they don't seem to pay attention.

"The church is always busy and during the week it is mainly used by groups with young people and elderly folk.

"And, because the car park gets so full, they don't have space. It isn't fair."

Not having places for churchgoers to park is not the only problem the vicar faces.

When people have been asked to move their cars, a minority have become abusive.

"If you ask them why they're parking in our car park, they just ask why they shouldn't use it or tell us that don't we think it's un-Christian of us to not allow them to park there?" he said.

"I think it's much the same as if I parked in someone's drive and thought Oh, they won't mind, I'm only going to the shops.' "People wouldn't do something like this in other private property. But I get the impression that they think we're there for them to treat as a doormat. Just because we're a church they think we are pushovers.

"There are some discussions going on for the future with the Cavendish Square developers about whether we can open our car park for short-term parking."

Coun Fay Howard, (Lab, Parks) said: "I do feel very much for the people who want to use the church and can't.

"It's a shame there aren't better parking arrangements while the regeneration is taking place.

"The free car park is not a great place. It's difficult to find and it's covered in dirt and mud.

"We have been trying to get better parking in the area for a while now. There was a car park that the residents used that got taken away.

"Now we're working on the issue again, so hopefully soon, once the construction work is over, and maybe if we can get a decent car park, it will ease the pressure on the church."