motorists.

And yesterday they said it was time road rage on the streets of Hamilton hit a stop sign.

Ten-year veteran Wanda Paynter said wardens had suffered verbal and physical abuse.

She said: "I have been attacked -- a man got very abusive, grabbed my arm and ripped my uniform and told me I was wrong to walk away from him -- that I should have stood there and listened to what he had to say.

"One had a battery thrown at her, another had a car driven over her foot and another was struck on the back.'' And Grace Richardson -- due to retire on Friday after 18 years pounding the pavements -- admitted she was now glad to be going.

She said: "The whole situation is a lot worse than it was back then -- there are a lot more cars on the road and younger people driving them.

"You got irate people even then, but it was generally much nicer to patrol the streets.

"The way things are now, you are almost walking around looking behind you to see what's coming.

"One time I stood in front of a car to write the ticket and the driver drove right at me -- it wasn't forceful, but he did drive right at me.

"I'm really glad to be retiring now. I wasn't at the beginning, but it's not nice out there any more.'' And both wardens pleaded for members of the public to recognise their role in keeping the streets clear for traffic and giving everyone a fair chance to bag a parking space.

Traffic wardens Ms Paynter pointed out that chaos would reign on the roads if traffic wardens -- who walk four to six miles a shift -- were not there as a deterrent.

She added that even emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines could be stalled behind selfish parkers -- risking lives.

And she said that even pedestrians would suffer from people who park their cars and cycles on the pavements.

Ms Paynter said: "I think people should respect us for our position and our job. It's not the easiest job in the world.

"And we're not ogres -- we are doing a job which has to be done. The alternative is chaos on the streets.'' She added that wardens also provide directions for countless tourists and assist the blind, disabled and elderly with crossing the roads.

Ms Paynter said: "The job does have its good points and we do a lot of good -- but many people just see us as monsters slapping tickets on cars.'' Both women blamed the aggression problem on extra traffic, more stress-filled lives and deteriorating standards of behaviour, especially among younger people.

And they pointed out that -- no matter what the provocation -- they have to stay calm.

Mrs. Richardson said: "You don't know how to respond -- if you get abusive back, people are ready to report you. It's a terrible situation. If it's the traffic warden, you'd be taken in in a minute and you'd be on the carpet.'' Ms Paynter added: "You have to deal with each particular situation. You say `sorry, you took the chance' and they will just accept it.

"Another person will lose their temper and we have to deal with them. One guy was ready to knock my lights out after I gave him a ticket.

"If I'd been hasty, it would have ended up in a fight. I just politely put the ticket on his screen and walked away.''