ALTHOUGH I do not live in St Helens, my daughter and family do, and me and my wife have visited for over 40 years. I have always taken care to park correctly, usually in a multi-storey and have never had a parking ticket.

In February after work at around 4.30pm, I was rushing to the Theatre Royal to buy tickets for the family to attend a show.

Driving up Shaw Street I saw a parking gap and pulled in. Checking the display sign it advised that there was free parking for two hours. Getting back into the car I saw a more suitable gap further up the street which I moved to.

Returning to my car less than 30 minutes later, I was surprised to find a penalty notice. The warden was nearby and so I asked why? She was very polite and explained that part of the road was free and part was for residents only. She showed me the restricted sign and I fully understand that she was just doing her duty.

I then challenged the notice and have had my challenge rejected because "it is the responsibility of the driver to park the vehicle correctly. etc".

I am now, reluctantly, paying the penalty but would like to bring the restriction to the attention of readers so they do not get caught out in a similar fashion.

Details withheld