A carer has called for more clarity in parking restrictions after his disabled friend was fined for leaving his car in a marked bay.

Nile Solin, an ME sufferer who is registered disabled, parked his vehicle with his blue badge displayed in New Parade, Worthing, last month.

When Mr Solin, of Hove, and friend William Young returned they were shocked to have been given a ticket.

Worthing Borough Council have upheld the £35 fine, insisting the bay was reserved for resident permit holders.

Mr Young, of Halewick Lane, Lancing, said: “I was furious. I thought there had been a mistake.

“If the bay was marked then fair enough but we could see no sign.

“Nile doesn’t get out much and we had only popped to the seafront for a stroll.

“We could have parked on double yellow lines without any trouble but we drove around until we could find a bay.”

Mr Young’s appeal against the fine was rejected.

The original fine was then doubled to £70.

After contacting the enforcement officers he was told it was a restricted disabled bay.

Mr Young said: "They told me if the word disabled is written inside the box you are allowed to park, but if it written outside the box then it is limited.

“Something must be done to make the system clearer.”

A council spokeswoman maintained the fine was correct.

She said: “If there is no sign and just road markings, it is an advisory bay.

“This means that any resident permit holder can use it but we rely on the goodwill of others to leave it free for the resident permit plus blue badge holder.

“In both instances, a valid residents' permit is required.

“This is not a local policy but nationwide and it is clearly stated in the blue badge guidance sent with the badge.

“If the gentleman only displayed a blue badge, with no valid resident's permit, then this PCN was valid and the appeal was appropriately handled.”