parade watchers that they are not allowed to reserve seating spots at the side of the road by blocking them off.

The message comes after people have begun claiming their spots alongside the Heritage Day Parade and Marathon routes by using rope, chain and even fishing wire to block them off up to four days beforehand.

Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt stressed last night that the arrangement was "first come, first serve'', but no-one was allowed to reserve spots along the public roads.

The problem has been especially severe along Cedar Avenue which offers prime viewing for all the Heritage Day events.

Last year, fishing line strung up to block off a spot for spectators caused a blind pedestrian to trip and hurt himself as he walked by it.