Some friends, both in their 80s, received a Parking ticket on a shopping trip to George Street, Hove.

They had parked their car in Haddington Street, as they normally do when shopping, and correctly displayed their blue badge, granted after a stroke disabled the lady two years ago.

There were no signs, temporary or otherwise, to discourage parking in that road at that time.

On returning, they discovered their car was not where they had left it.

A traffic warden arrived and advised them it had been towed away - not to the pound but to a nearby street. It had been left there, parked facing the wrong way in a one-way street.

There was no explanation for this and the traffic warden advised caution when driving away because they were facing the oncoming traffic!

When they reached the car - laden with their shopping, the lady in her wheelchair quite distressed by this time - they found a parking ticket attached to the windscreen with a "to and from" time of three minutes.

They drove to the police station, where they were advised to go to the Town Hall, which they duly did.

The gentleman had to make two trips inside, leaving his disabled wife in the car alone, having had to return to the car to get the blue badge details.

The lady behind the desk took all the relevant details and said she did not think they would have to pay the fine.

He asked what would happen next and was told to wait and see. How long do they wait? If the fine needs to be paid, they could have a reduction if it is paid by a certain date. If not, the full amount is due.

Parking around George Street is a nightmare now the car park is closed. God knows how the traders in the area make any money when customers are being driven away because there is no parking available.

Don't give me the old chestnut about public transport. In this instance, how do you expect two people in their 80s, one disabled and needing a wheelchair, to negotiate a bus with shopping as well?

-Mrs V T Casey, Kings Road, Lancing