CAMPAIGNERS in Hyndburn are hoping to convince 20,000 people to sign a petition calling for the removal of the borough's traffic wardens.

A new group, known as Motorists Against Persecution (MAP) was formed by Tim Hothersall, who claims he received a ticket near his home in Accrington.

The borough's streets are patrolled by wardens as part of the Parkwise partnership with Lancashire County Council but there have been numerous complaints about over-zealous ticketing since the new regime was introduced across the county last year.

Tim, of Whalley Road, believes many wardens are breaking the rules to give out unnecessary tickets, and the campaigners hope to get photographic evidence.

Now Tim, who asked not to be pictured by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, is calling on Hyndburn residents to report any 'wrong-doing' they see. He claims to have collected 1,000 signatures already.

Tim, 34, said: "There are that many people sick of the way these traffic wardens are behaving Every person you speak to is fed up of them so I think a few people down town on a weekend afternoon for a few of weeks could quite easily collect the signatures."

In the past Hyndburn's wardens have been strongly criticised by both members of the public and council leaders. When an elderly couple were ticketed for displaying a disabled permit upside down, the leader of the council admitted that the wardens are often 'over zealous'.

To be successful, Tim will have to convince a quarter of the borough's population to sign the petition, which will be made available in local shops.

Councillor Britcliffe today promised to take residents' views into account, adding: "We'd have to discuss this with Lancashire County Council.

"But I can't say people should not abide by parking restrictions. If people were to park badly you would not be able to get in or out of Accrington."