Patients and medical delivery drivers have slammed a firm for clamping their vehicles outside a doctors’ surgery.

People have been forced to pay £130 to have their cars released from the clamps at the Broadwater Medical Centre in Worthing.

They include Pam and Don Skelton, of Goldsmith Road, Broadwater, who were clamped while Don was in the surgery having an injection.

But delivery drivers collecting prescriptions and dropping off medication have also fallen foul of the clampers.

Glen Richardson, who works for Lloyds Pharmacy, was clamped earlier this month.

He said the company's drivers have delivered to the surgery for more than six years without any previous problems.

He said: “It's outrageous.

“I popped into the surgery for less than a minute and when I came out the guy was putting the clamp on.

“I told him what I did but he just carried on. It was ridiculous.

“Another time I saw the Boots delivery van being clamped.

“The driver couldn't pay and the clamping firm called a tow truck to take it away, “That truck blocked the road and when someone else stopped to see what was happening the guy tried to clamp their car too.”

Worthing Borough and county councillor Alan Rice said: “While not actually illegal in England to clamp a vehicle delivering medical supplies it certainly is immoral.”

But Gavin Price, operations manager for the clamping firm Capital 2 Coast, defended its actions.

He said: “It's a free car park, it's not chargeable.

“There are clear white lines marking out the bays and we have to clamp anyone who doesn't park in the lines.

“We have to make sure that there is no obstruction for the emergency services like fire engines.

“If this woman wants to challenge the decision then she is welcome to and it will be fully investigated.

“With regard to the pharmacy delivery vehicles, I have spoken with the landowner and hey have agreed to set aside a marked bay specifically for them to park in.”

Penny Hawes, assistant practice manager of the surgery, said: “We are well aware that people have been clamped, and have been very upset.

“Clearly, our patients are our priority and the last thing we would want is to discourage anyone from coming to see us.

“We have spoken to our landlords, who own the car park, and we hope that any issues will be resolved soon.”