A driver has won his battle to have a fine overturned for parking on yellow lines that should not have existed.

Council bosses have told baker Giovanni Ballone he will have his £30 fine refunded.

They have also ordered that confusing double-yellow lines which extend into a parking bay should be removed.

The victory came after The Argus highlighted Mr Ballone's case and asked Hove MP Ivor Caplin to intervene.

Mr Caplin said: "Officials have written to me to say that they have now decided to withdraw the fine and to refund Mr Ballone's money.

"After I contacted them, they sent highways staff to inspect the lines concerned and have told me they will now be removed."

Mr Ballone thought he had parked legally in a new residents' bay close to his home near Hove station.

Newly-painted lines clearly ended before the freshly-marked combined permit and pay-and-display bay in Station Approach.

The old yellow lines, which extended into the bay, were faded and only just visible.

Mr Ballone left his car completely within the new bay last October, thinking the old yellow lines no longer applied.

When he returned, he found a £30 ticket had been left on the car by one of the city council's new parking officers.

He asked The Argus to highlight the problem and the council advised him to appeal against the ticket.

Mr Ballone's appeal was turned down and that is when The Argus took his case to Mr Caplin.

Mr Caplin said at the time: "It seems to me that Mr Ballone was unfairly treated.

"He has paid for a resident's permit and this is what the new parking regulations are all about.

"That should have been relevant and taken into consideration."