More than 400 customers of a cafe on the Malvern Hills are backing a bid for improved car parking.

The Kettle Sings on Jubilee Driver, Upper Colwall, has seating for 60 but only six parking spaces. Most people who visit the cafe have to park on the road or use the Malvern Hills Conservators' car park at nearby Gardiner's Common.

"It's an old, old problem and it has just got worse and worse over the years," according to owner Jenny Ransome, who said more than 400 customers were supporting her bid to buy land off the Conservators to create more parking space.

"The cafe opened in 1928 and back then there weren't many cars," she said. "Now, parking is a big problem for our customers, particularly the elderly. This causes problems, particularly if the weather is bad and the ground is wet, and makes access to the cafe very difficult and muddy.

"It puts people off coming to the cafe and although it's not too bad for lots of fit and able people, a lot of our customers are elderly and it's one of the few ways they can enjoy the hills."

Ms Ransome said the £2 parking fee at the Conservators' car park could also deter people.

Malvern Hills Conservators have visited the site and discussed the issue with Ms Ransome but say they cannot sell her extra land for parking, as it is their policy not to increase the amount of parking on the hills.

"The Conservators are going to look at the whole parking problem again and that is a major plus for us. Something has to be done," said Ms Ransome.

Meanwhile, a complete review of parking provision in the area is being carried out by the Conser-vators' land management committee. Possible solutions include making the Gardiner's Common car park free for visitors to the cafe, with a path leading to the building.

The Conservators are also considering creating a special viewpoint and parking for the less able at nearby Gardiner's Cottage, along with two disabled driver parking spaces at the end of the track to The Kettle Sings.

The proposals were due to be discussed at a meeting of the land management Committee yesterday (Thursday).