Hundreds of dud Parking tickets may have been issued because attendants were not wearing hats when they wrote them.

Parking attendants' contracts stipulate they must be properly dressed when they issue fines.

That means they must wear hats at the time they write tickets.

The loophole was discovered by Eddie Mitchell, a photographer at The Argus, who was issued a ticket by a hat-less attendant and is now appealing against his fine.

Brighton and Hove City Council is bracing itself for a deluge of other appeals and all 150 attendants were yesterday reminded to keep their hats firmly on their heads.

Mr Mitchell learned of the loophole after his vehicle was slapped with a ticket in Marine Parade, Brighton.

He said: "I was bemoaning my luck to another attendant when he asked me if the attendant was wearing his hat. When I said no he said I wouldn't have to pay."

Mr Mitchell doubted the attendant but we checked with Brighton and Hove City Council and staff confirmed it was true.

Council spokeswoman Julie Harris said: "Terms of employment for attendants states they must be in proper uniform when they issue tickets. That includes a hat on their head.

"We don't want anyone going round issuing bogus tickets so we ensure attendants can be properly identified.

"Attendants can take off their hats but must wear them when they issue tickets or the tickets are invalid. Of course, those drivers who appeal will have to prove the attendant was hatless."

Council officials believe an old bylaw exists reaffirming the rule and were delving into files yesterday searching for it.

A delighted Mr Mitchell said: "I can't believe it. I'm going to fight my fine now.

"I wonder how many other motorists are unaware of this and how much it could cost the council."