Traders in the centre of Oxford are angry a bus parked in High Street is being used as a temporary stop-off for drivers while the bus company's nearby rest-room and office is refurbished.

The Oxford Bus Company is using the bus until the work on the rest-room is completed. But businesses in High Street are up in arms that the bus is parked near their shop fronts while their cars and lorries have trouble parking for a short time for loading.

They say the bus makes it difficult for their customers to access their shops and is spoiling the appearance of the historic street.

Jenny Payne, the proprietor of Payne and Son Antique Goldsmiths, a business that has been located in High Street since 1889, joined other members of the High Street Traders Association, at a meeting to discuss the problem.

She said: "We are not allowed two minutes for loading and they are there all day. "The High Street is one of the worst areas in the country for signs as it is, and having a bus there looks awful.

"I think it's terrible, there are lots coffee shops around if they want coffee."

Another trader, who declined to be named, said: "It is a constant battle with buses and their insidious take over of Oxford.

"Everybody is incensed by it.

"We are hounded for parking for two minutes for unloading but they park there with impunity."

Stefan Noames, the bus company's business development manager: "We are currently refurbishing our usual dinner and rest facility we lease in Queens Lane off the High Street.

"We need to provide our drivers with somewhere to take their breaks, and looked at other alternatives, but this was the only one feasible.

"It's a last resort, but is only temporary.

"If it is causing inconvenience then we apologise."

The company said work was on target and should be completed next Friday. The bus would then be removed.