An east Oxford resident is threatening to block traffic coming into her street in protest at weekly worshippers who park illegally without being fined.

Control Plus staff say they will patrol the area only in pairs

Tyndale Road residents say worshippers visiting a nearby mosque occupy resident-only spaces without permits and park in people's driveways.

Taxi drivers and delivery lorries also cause problems.

Householders have complained that parking restrictions are not enforced during Friday afternoon prayer times at the Bangladesh Islamic Education Centre and Mosque, on the corner of Cowley Road and Tyndale Road.

Mosque leaders, who are trying to discourage worshippers from parking in Tyndale Road, met police and parking controllers to discuss the issues two months ago and believe the situation has improved since then.

But mother-of-three Sharon Freemire, 32, who plans to carry out the protest if the situation is not resolved, said a number of drivers had been aggressive when she had challenged them.

Oxfordshire County Council said Control Plus parking attendants were enforcing restrictions, but would patrol the area around Tyndale Road only in pairs because of fears for their safety.

Mrs Freemire said: "The people going to the mosque are parking in my drive, blocking people in and when it's really busy, parking on the pavement. It's also inconvenient for pedestrians and people with buggies and wheelchairs.

"I shouldn't have to resort to parking at the end of the road in protest, but I don't know what else I can do."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she received two parking fines a month, despite having a valid permit.

She said: "The parking situation in Tyndale Road is quite shocking - mainly due to the over-zealous parking attendants who appear to target only the residents."

Alpab Ali vice-chairman of the mosque, said: "We discourage people from parking in Tyndale Road and have distributed written information advising people not to park there.

"We don't want to cause trouble."

Sgt Jim O'Ryan, head of the East Oxford police team, said: "We have, when requested, assisted Control Plus by providing an officer to ensure parking attendants can do their job.

"Evidently our meeting with residents and people from the mosque wasn't a success."