A CLYST St Mary landlord is threatening to ban councillors from his pub until parking problems are solved in the village.

A CLYST St Mary landlord is threatening to ban councillors from his pub until parking problems are solved in the village.

Martin Webb, who runs the Half Moon Inn, is so angry at the lack of action from parish councillors to resolve the problem of commuters and holidaymakers parking at the back of the Inn that is threatening to ban councillors from his pub.

He said the village only had three businesses: the Post Office, Clyst St Mary school and his pub, but with people who use Exeter International Airport taking up all the spaces residents couldn't use the only village car park.

Mr Webb, who since taking over the pub last year has launched a restaurant in his pub, said the lack of car parking was seriously hurting his business.

He said: "It's a free car park so no wonder people use it but by 8am it's already full for the rest of the day.

"For months the councillors said they would put up signs but they still haven't - they are banning people from coming in so I'm banning them."

The vice-chairman Don Axford said Bishops Clyst Parish Council recognised that there was a continuous problem with parking in the village.

However, he said: "To install a parking meter would take up half the annual rate available to the council and even then we would have a problem policing it."

Although the council has the option of transferring responsibility of the car park to East Devon District Council, Councillor Axford said this was an unlikely step because the car park was an asset to the village and they did not want to lose control of it.

The council will be making a decision on the car park at the next meeting on March 9, at 7.30pm, to be held at Clyst St Mary School.