Police are to crack down on illegal parking in Southwold as the town becomes busier as an all-year-round tourist attraction.

Traditionally parking in the coastal resort has mostly been a problem during the summer, Christmas season and bank holidays, when people usually take a holiday.

But now people are visiting the seaside town throughout the year, meaning that Saturday and Sunday trade is also increasing. Southwold mayor Melanie Tucker said: 'We might find there's even more pressure.'

Southwold Town Council is in the midst of talks with various contractors to commission a full parking and traffic review, which will allow them to look for a long-term solution.

But in the meantime, more enforcement and better management of traffic will help alleviate the problem, said Ms Tucker.

'We would like particular attention paid to drivers who stay longer than the regulated time in all timed areas – especially the High Street – and parking illegally,' she said. 'And we do have issues with vehicles causing an obstruction.'

Between June 14 and July 26, 75 people were given parking tickets in Southwold – 27 of which were on the High Street.

However Ms Tucker said: 'The shifts PCSOs work aren't always when there are the most parking problems in town.

'We're working very closely with the police to try to make sure that we've got a presence that's going to be helpful to the people of the town and the businesses.

'We want to try to ensure that some of the issues are addressed.

'And I did get a very positive response, they were very receptive and I was very encouraged by that.'

The council, along with Adnams, Southwold Pier and the chamber of commerce, match-fund a PCSO, who is shared with Reydon.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: 'Parking in Southwold is continually raised as an issue and during the summer months it is often 90pc of the work carried out by Southwold and Reydon-based PCSOs.

'Police have been working with the town council to try to alleviate problems, and to find solutions to the issues raised.

'Officers will ticket any vehicle that is illegally parked, or causing an obstruction.'