Pets Corner in Dorking has installed a life-sized picture of a traffic warden to deter motorists from leaving their vehicles in its customer-only car park. But it has upset local traders, who have described it as being intimidating to people visiting the Surrey market town.

But the pet shop may be forced to remove the cut-out amid claims it is "out of keeping" with the rest of the town.

Fellow traders and residents have criticised the sign for exacerbating Dorking's parking problems and adding to the town's reputation for being a difficult place to "stop and shop".

In response Pets Corner's managing director Dean Hammond said: "The car park is ours and our customers depend on it being available to use, especially as we sell heavy and bulky items."

"The sign was installed as many people didn't realise the car park was privately owned and were being ticketed."

"Since it has been in place we are having to ticket very few people which is saving anxiety for all concerned and our customers are now able to park easily."

He added: "We are a local, family-owned business based in Crawley and think we have brought positive benefits to traders at this end of the town, increasing footfall.

"I suspect some traders are just being grumpy because they've lost the use of our car park to park their vans and staff vehicles."

Sonja Sefke, owner of a nearby vintage clothing store, said: "The sign is out of keeping and is quite an intimidating sight that is not welcome."

"I had a customer in the store the other day who said 'I've been trying to park for 45 minutes'. There is a huge amount of customers who moan to us traders about the situation."

The parking restrictions at Pets Corner are enforced by Total Car Parks, whose own sign is located next to the cut-out, a move it said it did not sanction.

Total said it would discuss the picture with Pets Corner to determine its next course of action.