For years traffic wardens have been known as the yellow peril as they dish out tickets to motorists.

But the only yellow thing about the parking attendants making their first appearance on city streets this week is the warning card they are issuing.

Their uniform of grey trousers, grey jumpers, white shirts and hats is much more understated.

The cards tell badly-parked drivers they will be liable to £60 penalty charge notices when the attendants take over from wardens in Brighton and Hove from Monday.

Lead transport councillor Alison Hermitage said: "We wanted to give them a positive and helpful feel rather than a negative image.

"They have been trained to have a really professional attitude with members of the public and also be there to defuse trouble."

National Car Parks contracts manager Wayne Crewe, who will be running the operation for the city council, said there could be a few teething problems in the first few days.

But he added: "When enforcement is consistent, people will get used to it and it should settle down quickly. It will change people's parking behaviour."

Sixty attendants have been appointed and Mr Crewe said there had been no problem recruiting them.

Marion James, 36, a former part-time cleaner, is pleased she can work the job around caring for her two children, adding: "The uniform is not bad at all."

Council leader Ken Bodfish said the scheme was providing extra jobs for the city.

He said: "Enforcement of parking regulations will be firm but fair.

"There will be no incentives for the new attendants to book as many people as possible.

"We are encouraging more considerate parking and will crack down on the minority of selfish parkers who cause misery for others."

He said disabled people would not have to change their parking plans under the new scheme.

Coun Hermitage said people would see the attendants this week and added: "They will play a vital role in improving parking enforcement."