SURPRISED Carole Richardson is breathing a sigh of relief after council officers waived a parking ticket that was slapped on her car windscreen as she donated blood.

But the 37-year-old says town centre parking restrictions are costing lives and has called for free parking for blood donors.

Mrs Richardson, a bankteller of Booker, High Wycombe, went to give blood in Oakley Hall, Castle Street, High Wycombe, on Monday, October 1.

But when she returned she found a parking ticket had been slapped on her windscreen.

"When I attended a few months ago the restrictions were different I would never have deliberately evaded paying," she said.

"I'm sure many people don't bother giving blood because they have to fork out on parking. It's in the centre. The blood service have a difficult enough time as it is without donors being penalised."

She later wrote to Bucks County Council who said the onus is on the driver to be aware of restrictions but they would withdraw the ticket 'just this once'.

"It was a big surprise," she said. "I was on my way out to pay. Maybe they will change the rules now."