A compromise is being sought in a row between traders and a council over Parking waivers and permits.

Brighton and Hove city councillors are to sit down with officers this week to try to work out a way to satisfy traders who need to park on yellow lines and in restricted parking areas while carrying out jobs.

The decision follows protests by Traders Against Parking Persecution (TAPP), involving slow moving convoys of white vans.

The traders, including plumbers, builders and electricians, have brought traffic to a standstill in the city centre four times this year in a bid to change the restrictions.

The most recent protest, during morning rush hour on Monday last week, received support from the public with some residents waving from windows and personally congratulating the protesters.

Councillors from all parties want to see an end to the protest, especially the ruling Labour group, which fears it could result in the loss of some marginal seats at the council elections in May next year.

TAPP is urging its members not to do any work at the homes of Labour councillors until there are changes to the waiver and parking permit systems. It has sent out a list of Labour councillors and their addresses to all its members.

There were demands for a compromise during a meeting of the environment committee last week.

Tory councillor Pat Drake suggested the council abolish the £3 waiver fee traders are required to buy every time they need to park on yellow lines.

Lib Dem leader Paul Elgood called for the charge to be dropped to £1 to cover administrative costs.

Environment councillor Chris Morley said a meeting between senior councillors and officials would be held this week to work out a compromise.

New proposals would be prepared in time for the next meeting of the environment committee.

Transport councillor Simon Battle said parking was being reviewed but residents had to come first.

If traders were given more space for parking, there would be less for residents.

He said the council had already opened the parking office earlier in the morning for traders and waivers could be purchased in advance.

TAPP spokesman Roger McArthur said: "It has taken four protests to get things moving. We wait for the council's new proposals with baited breath."