Bath garden centre managing director John Leach was so incensed by motorists parking their vehicles in the store's car park before heading into the city that he decided to take drastic action...blocking them in with bags of compost.

When the car owners who parked in Prior Park Garden Centre returned to their vehicles they were asked to give a donation to charity.

It is believed the cars, which were there for more than three hours, belonged to political campaigners who had been out canvassing ahead of May's elections.

Mr Leach said: "Last weekend was Mother's Day weekend, which was a busy time for us.

"About 9am, one of my caretakers was in the car park and he saw a couple of cars drive in, a group of young men get out and go into town.

"Around the car park we have a number of signs explaining it's a private car park and it's for use of customers at the garden centre.

"I put a bunch of compost behind the car so they couldn't get out."

The motorists donated £50 to the Children's Hospice South West and although the incident ended amicably, they are unlikely to return soon.

Mr Leach said: "There are many occasions when we have been more than happy for people to leave cars in our car park if they have the courtesy to ask us.

"On a very busy weekend, to leave two cars for three hours, I think that's outrageous. The car park was full on one of the best weekend of the spring.

"I said 'if more people took advantage of us like you have it would grind out business to a halt'."