PARKING problems have led council chiefs to see if a new home can be found for five charity minibuses.

They are often left in a free car park outside the shopping parade in Priors Dean Road, Harestock, Winchester. The city council has given permission for the vehicles, operated by Winchester Area Community Action, to be left there.

Littleton and Harestock Parish Council is concerned. While not angry with WACA, members are worried about congestion at the car park, which can take around 40 vehicles. Spaces are at a premium, they say, particularly with the brisk trade at the Tesco Express store, which opened in September, 2003.

Parish member Di Smart, of Bramshaw Close, Harestock, often visits the shopping parade. "I've arrived there, and found I haven't been able to park."

She added that the lack of spaces prompted some drivers to shop elsewhere, or leave cars in awkward places along Priors Dean Road. Parish members are now asking the city council to find a solution.

Stuart Blake, transport manager at WACA, said they were willing to move their vehicles if an alternative was identified. He stressed that any replacement site must be near the city and not in an area of high vandalism.

Mr Blake said they were using the Harestock car park on the advice of the city council. "These vehicles are run for the benefit of the community and they're not a commercial operation," he added.

A city spokesman said they would now investigate alternative sites