Illegal parking in Abingdon has risen since a traffic warden retired and was replaced by four police community support officers, according to residents.

Abingdon Town Council plans to raise the issue with the police, and residents are particularly concerned about parking in West St Helen Street, near the war memorial, and in parts of Radley Road.

Cygnet Court resident, Philip Holloway, said: "Vehicles park in banned areas and on pavements, making it difficult for young mothers with pushchairs and older people.

"One woman who was injured by a reversing van has only recently recovered after spending 12 weeks in hospital. Action needs to be taken to stop dangerous parking."

Another resident made a similar complaint about parking in Radley Road, which he said was particularly bad when parents dropped off and picked up children from the three schools.

He said some cars were driven along pavements because of congestion.

Residents in the Boxhill Walk area, off Wootton Road, are also unhappy with parents parking in roads close to and surrounding St Nicolas Primary School. Peter Morley said: "Too many parents ignore yellow lines and parking time restrictions

"Some residents have difficulty getting in or out of their driveways.

"The rules should be enforced more strictly, but you rarely see any police up here."

Town and Vale district councillor Peter Green said illegal parking was becoming a problem in many areas of the town and in the centre.

He added: "Traders complain about illegal parking in Bath Street and taxi parking near the war memorial in The Square and Ock Street."

Thames Valley Police spokesman Vicky Evans said that if complaints were made and brought to the attention of the police they would be investigated.

She said the new PCSOs were not traffic wardens, but had the same powers as wardens and could issue penalty tickets.

Miss Evans added: "The PCSOs are always in the community, not sitting behind an office desk.

"They deal with a wide range of community issues and can be tasked to deal with a specific problem, including breaches of parking regulations."

Four PCSOs cover the Vale, including Abingdon, and South Oxfordshire districts.

Next month another two PCSOs will be appointed specifically for the Vale and another two for South Oxfordshire.