A ROW broke out and wardens were "surrounded" after business owners were fined for parking on their own property because they had crossed double yellow lines to get there.

Parking tickets were placed on two cars outside shops in South Farm Road, Worthing, triggering a row in the street which police attended.

The motorists parked on strips of land off the road and pavement which are next to their shops. They claim it is part of their private property which they own, maintain and have used for years.

But Worthing Borough Council-employed parking attendants said they were right to issue the fine on the grounds that the cars had crossed double lines on the road to get there.

The wardens were "surrounded" after the tickets were issued and two police officers stepped in to keep the peace.

Pirana Arul, owner of Best One Express convenience store, said he would fight the ticket in court if he had to.

He said: "I've owned this business for three years and for three years I have parked outside, and my customers have parked here and it's never been a problem.

"It is my property, I don't understand it, we are not breaking any rules."

Mick Symes, 65, of nearby Teville Road, uses the shops regularly and said the tickets, issued at 10.30am on Friday, were "absurd."

He fears the threat of tickets will scare off customers.

He added: "I believe this is a money making scheme by the council. Everyone was really shocked and the dispute got quite heated.

"It's the first time in years all the business units on that road have been full and this could affect businesses. Almost all of the shops have these strips of private land."

A council spokesman cited case law from a 2009 Court of Appeal case in support of the decision to fine the drivers.

He said: "As can be clearly seen, there are double yellow lines running along this side of the road; these lines denote no waiting at any time - which applies if a vehicle has to cross the double yellow lines to get to where it is parked.

"The civil enforcement officers did speak to a number of individuals and one of whom moved their vehicle elsewhere. While it is true that the police were present, they were not summoned but happened to be passing at the time and noticed a crowd of people surrounding the parking wardens.

"If the individuals who received the tickets felt the action was not justified, then they can appeal and their case will be looked at on its merits."

To appeal a ticket visit adur-worthing.gov.uk/parking/parking-tickets/appeal.