Passers-by were stunned when they saw Brighton traffic wardens handing out a parking ticket for a broken down car.

Residents watched in disbelief at the actions employed by Brighton and Hove City Council wardens when the car was spotted in the middle of Ditchling Road, next to The Level.

Estelle Francis was walking past when she stumbled across and photographed the incident.

Speaking to The Argus, she said: “I was walking by and thought the two men were police. But then I saw them putting a ticket on the windscreen “I couldn't believe it.

“It was clear the driver had broken down, the hazard lights were on.”

She told how the driver had left the car to get help when the two wardens pounced.

She said: “Instead of calling the police or making sure the area was safe they seemed more concerned with handing out the parking ticket.

“Cars were still going by at quite a speed, it was dangerous. I just thought this really takes the biscuit. I've never seen anything like it.”

Brighton and Hove City Council has come in for criticism in recent years for the amount of money they make from parking.

For the last set of full results in 2012/13, the authority made £4.37million from parking tickets alone. This was up from £4.31million in 2011/12 and £3.69million in 2011/10.

In December last year it was revealed the council's overall profit from parking services was £16.3million - the most of any local authority outside of London.

The total was more than twice the amount of cities such as Manchester and the London borough of Islington.

Critics have called on the council to reduce charges but the local authority states all money used to improve city transport.

Speaking about the specific incident yesterday, the council said they were unable to comment.

A spokesman said: “We don't provide commentary on individual cases. The driver is well within their rights to make a case for appeal. That will be considered in time.

“However it would be unfair for us to comment beforehand.”

Are you the driver of the car? Contact The Argus on 01273 544536 or email ben.james@theargus.co.uk.