ILLEGAL parking is making life a misery for Weymouth hoteliers and their guests.

They claim their cars are getting trapped inside hotel parks by everything from delivery lorries and vans to takeaway vehicles and cars driven by customers hopping out to collect a meal. They also warn that fire exits getting blocked could cost lives in an emergency.

Hoteliers claim that the town centre torment is so bad that when they or guests arrive to try and park they often cannot get inside or even park on the road in Gloucester Mews.

Melvin and Monica Curtis run the Gloucester House guesthouse and Melvin said: "Every day is hell. We often can't get out, our guests can't get out or in and our fire exit regularly has vehicles parked right across it which could cost someone their life if there was a fire."

Monica said: "This has been going on for more than a year since all the new takeaways moved into the area.

"Customers may only park illegally for 10 minutes but it is preventing our guests making use either of our car park or our on-street parking permit.

Garry Steel of the Mayfair Hotel said: "There is illegal parking at all times which is not dealt with either by the council or the police.

"We know that parking across an entrance which obstructs someone from getting out of a car park is a police matter and that parking on double yellow lines is a council matter but neither will act. So who do we go to?"

Simon Reid runs the Cumberland Hotel and said: "I have two young daughters and we are terrified for their safety because when we open our back door there can be vehicles driving past actually on the pavement.

"We want action now before we lose our businesses and someone loses their life."

Michael Tibble of the Hotel Kinley said: "My garage sliding doors are always getting blocked by take-away customers, building delivery vans and other vehicles."

But Domino's Pizza manager Mal Singh said: "All my drivers understand that they must not park in front of gates or garages belonging to hotels, definitely, no way.

"If my drivers cannot park nearby they go to a paying car park and I pay for the tickets."

Inspector Peter Meteau of Weymouth East Police said: "I will try and help in any way I can. If premises are being blocked in then come to us."

A council spokesman said: "We have been patrolling the area and motorists on double yellow lines or who have exceeded the one-hour parking limits have been given tickets.

"We are responsible for regulating on-street parking and hoteliers with such concerns should come to us."