MOTORISTS across the UK are likely to enjoy a park-free bonanza on Wednesday as around 10,000 traffic wardens are set to join in a 24-hour council workers' strike.

But the AA warned drivers that the absence of wardens in the strike could lead to "chaos" on the roads.

"The vote for action by council workers was huge, so we are expecting most wardens to strike next week," said a spokeswoman for the Transport and General Workers Union.

Around 1.3 million council workers, including those in Swindon, are set to take part in the action which could be followed up by further strikes next month.

Council workers' unions are demanding a 6 per cent increase for town hall staff.

An AA spokeswoman said: "A strike by traffic wardens sounds like heaven for motorists. But we are worried that if people park illegally all over the place, traffic will grind to a halt.

"What we don't want to see is some kind of free-for-all. That would just lead to chaos."

In Swindon, council wardens patrol the car parks and residents' only parking areas. Double yellow lines are dealt with by the police.