CLAMPERS who caught 30 drivers in one day outside a Southampton supermarket are expanding the area they patrol.

Waters & Sons funeral directors, which is opposite Tesco Express in Spring Road, has recruited Whites Car Park Solutions Ltd to stop customers using their car park.

Bosses feared motorists banned from parking at Vets4Pets, who brought the clampers in, would leave their vehicles on the other side of Spring Road so asked the clampers to keep their spaces free.

It comes after the Daily Echo revealed how police had been called to calm furious drivers whose vehicles had been clamped in the 15-space car park.

They included a woman whose car was clamped while she was still inside it and a 17-year-old college student whose moped was immobilised.

Yesterday police were called in again to settle disputes as the clampers went back to work.

Mike Doling, deputy manager of the Tesco store, said: “I was in here at 7am and the clampers were down then. This morning alone they must have clamped at least half a dozen cars.”

Glen Gardner fell victim to the clampers at 7.20am yesterday and described it as “unjust, immoral and unreasonable”. He said: “I took about two or three minutes to complete my shopping and return to the car.

“Upon returning I was approached by a curt and aggressive man who stated that my car had been clamped.

“At the time I parked up it was dull and drizzly and my windows were steamed up. The clamping signs were not highly visible and certainly not lit.

“I was advised that the car would be towed if I did not pay up and then it would cost me £350-£400 to get my car back.

“The clamper was sitting in his car waiting to pounce on people and it has to be said that as Vets4Pets have affiliated themselves with this kind of outfit their business in that branch and beyond is in no doubt going to decrease and suffer as a consequence.”

Despite the angry scenes, Simon Waters, the 47-year-old director of Waters & Sons, insisted his company needed Whites Car Park Solutions Ltd.

He said: “I have customer parking outside my business and now with the conflict over Tesco, the problem is going to move on to my premises.”

“The clampers are getting out there pretty quickly to let people know they are clamping. With the nature of my business I need the access.”

Vets4Pets, which originally brought in the clampers to patrol its car park which sits between its premises and the Tesco Express, has promised an investigation into the complaints.

Whites Parking Solutions Ltd refused to comment.