Clampers hired by a church fined a woman £220 for parking outside the place of worship in the middle of the night.

Teresa Lipson, 55, who is waiting for a knee operation, parked in the deserted bays next to Montpelier Place Baptist Church, Hove. She was horrified when she had to fork out £220 - double the daily fine - for the three-hour stay.

She says the church should have more control over clampers Security Core of Brighton, who are based around the corner in Western Road.

Ms Lipson, from Hove, wrote to the church but was told the fine was out of its hands. She said: "I thought because it was the church they might be reasonable about it. It was late at night, I wasn't obstructing anyone and no one was going to a service at that time.

"I don't think the church can just wash its hands of the whole affair.

"There needs to be more control over these contractors."

Ms Lipson parked her car at 9.45pm on June 24 before meeting a friend for a drink.

When she returned at 12.45am she found her car clamped and a notice slapped on the windscreen.

She phoned Security Core and was told she would have to pay £220 in cash before her car could be released.

She said: "They said because it was past midnight I was into the second day. You can imagine how gobsmacked I was.

"I had to leave the car there because I do not have that sort of money and I didn't want to go walking around the streets on my own with a bad leg at that time of night.

"They couldn't release my car until 11am the next day, which was a Sunday when the service was on. It seemed to defeat the object.

"I'm not questioning that I did something wrong and I should pay a fine but £220 is unreasonable. It's ludicrous."

A Security Core employee said he could not comment on the case.

No one from the church was available to comment.