Shopkeepers and road users of a busy Bushey parade have started a petition to fight off a planning application to open a new cafe.

Heading up the campaign, Jennifer Zorluo, owner of Fish n Chips in Harcourt Road, said the new business would add to traffic chaos.

The 51-year-old said: "We are all in agreement to oppose planning permission. There is a traffic problem in the area - it's diabolical.

"There is also a primary school across the road, and when parents come to pick up or drop off their children the parking situation is terrible.

"The proposed cafe and take away has a seating area as well, so instead of people coming and parking for five minutes the cars will be there while customers sit in and wait for their food. But you can't park there as it is."

Mrs Zorluo and her husband Nuri started a petition to raise awareness of the plans, in a couple of days they collected more than a hundred signatures.

Mrs Zorluo said: "We've been collecting signatures, we've already had a hundred people join in over the last few days. Many from parents of children at Little Reddings Primary School.

"We've had a meeting about the application with the headteacher of the school and seven of the shops here are going to sign a letter objecting to the plan."

The planning application was submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council to change the use of a shop at number 35 Harcourt Road, currently called The Pastry Shop, to a new cafe shop and take away.

The plans also seek permission to install an extractor fan at the premises.

In addition,  Mrs Zorluo said the shopkeepers were worried about antisocial behaviour as the take away opening times would be to 11pm.

She said: "It's only a small parade, there are just nine shops. The area really doesn't need another cafe or take away. Already there is the fish and chip shop, a Chinese take away and Tesco Express for cold food, sandwiches and snacks."