STATIONERY shop owner Anthony Smith has banned traffic wardens from his store in Calne after getting a parking ticket.

Mr Smith of SPS Stationery was issued a ticket while he loaded his car with cardboard to take to the nearby recycling centre. He claims he had parked in the 20-minute-waiting zone for only seven minutes when the ticket was slapped on his window screen.

The 40-year-old has now put signs up in his shop window telling wardens they are not welcome at the store. Now he is urging other traders to ban wardens from their shops too.

He believes the situation has become worse since North Wiltshire District Council became responsible for enforcing all parking restrictions rather than sharing the duty with police.

He said: "If I know someone is a traffic warden they will not be allowed near the shop. They are not welcome.

"I'm all for obeying the rules and keeping on the right side of the law but these people do not make things easy for traders.

"It is already tough on the High Street without traffic wardens driving away custom and making our lives harder."

Mr Smith, who lives in Cepen Park in Chippenham, has also threatened to spread his campaign to his other stores in Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury.

He said: "If other companies backed me I would gladly move the campaign to my other stores."

Shop owners in Calne say that Mr Smith's actions, although extreme, are understandable as parking has become more restricted.

Catherine McRae of Regency Presentations said: "Most shoppers get a ticket when they chance it by going in the loading bay.

"I can see what Mr Smith is doing and it is understandable if he was just loading. But the parking attendants are just doing their job."

Jane Wilkinson of Sam Widges baguette shop also in High Street says it is already a struggle for businesses in Calne.

Mrs Wilkinson, who uses an access area behind the shop for deliveries, said: "It is hard enough getting customers but I think extending the amount of short-stay parking is the answer.

"I've got nothing against parking wardens as obviously some people do take advantage of loading bays.

"But it can be hard for businesses in the area to load and unload from around the back of their shops."

A spokesperson for North Wiltshire District Council said: "It is unfortunate that anyone feels the need to ban parking attendants for carrying out their duties.

"Every attendant is trained to understand the rules of the highway and the Road Traffic Act 1991 but any drivers who feel that a penalty charge notice has been issued wrongly have the right to make a representation to the council. The council will assess each case and if it is found that the PCN was issued incorrectly, it will be cancelled."