A woman was humiliated by a parking attendant who accused her of faking a disability.

Teri Knight had to pull down her jeans to show a scar proving she was the lawful owner of her disability badge.

Ms Knight, 48, has used the blue badge since having a hip replacement five years ago.

She had pulled up on double-yellow lines outside her home in Montpelier Road, Brighton, to unload her shopping last Thursday.

As she struggled with her bags the traffic warden appeared with a ticket for her Renault Clio.

The official saw her walking with the bags and accused her of faking the injury or using a false disabled badge.

She said: "He said, 'You don't look disabled to me and you are lying'.

"But I could prove I had a hip operation. So I took my jeans off to show I had a scar from my backside down my leg."

Ms Knight has complained to Brighton and Hove City Council.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "We have investigated this incident and spoken to the parking attendant concerned. The parking attendant has confirmed he did question Ms Knight about the validity of her badge.

"He decided to do this after observing her carrying heavy shopping from her car.

"NCP, which runs the parking contract, agrees with the council this was inappropriate.

"The attendant concerned regrets his action and realises not all disabilities are visible."

The blue badge is recognised across Europe and in Britain is issued by the Department for Transport. Owners are allowed to park close to their destination.

Disabled drivers can park free-of-charge in voucher parking spaces and in on-street pay-and-display spaces.

Able-bodied people using the badge risk a £1,000 fine.

The council said while disabled facilities were a top priority, officers had recently discovered six vehicles with false blue badges.

Ms Knight added: "I think it's absolutely disgusting and you should not treat people like that.

"I know everyone has got a job to do but that is too much."