DRIVERS in Warrington are being warned against parking in a town centre hot-spot in case they get clamped.

A number of Midweek readers have spoken of their surprise after being clamped next to Time Square car park's disabled bays.

Despite displaying their disabled badges and paying the car park fee, they all returned to find their cars had been clamped and they were being charged a release fee of £60.

One reader wrote to the Midweek "in disgust" after she was caught out during a 20 minute shop with her children and disabled mother.

Another reader also contacted the paper over her emotional ordeal.

Val Banner, from Houghton Green, suffered at the hands of clampers and landed a £60 fine as she stopped off in the same space to pick up some alternative medicine for her terminally ill husband.

She too displayed her disabled sticker, paid the parking fee and entered town. Half an hour later she returned to find her car clamped.

She said: "I saw two disabled parking bays, parked in between them and went to the shop to pick up some alternative medicine.

"It turns out it was a permit-only area, but I didn't see the signs. I want to warn people to keep an eye out and not get caught out like I did."

Peter Astley, principal trading standards officer, said: "To avoid paying a hefty charge it is important that drivers should look for the signs that clamping firms are obliged to make visible. Never assume that their intention to clamp is an idle threat.

"We would urge those firms clamping disabled people to respect disability issues and behave responsibly when making a decision to clamp. However, the simple message to all is, if in any doubt, don't park there."