A DISABLED man claims he has been unfairly ordered to pay a parking fine after being unable to find a space when attending an appointment at Leigh Infirmary.

Well-known retired publican Tom Park, of Westwell Street, says a traffic warden at the hospital's full car park told him that disabled pass holders can park for free at the nearby Avenue all day.

The 65-year-old – who has had a pacemaker fitted, suffers from shortness of breath and diabetes, uses a walking stick and can only walk short distances – has since been given a £35 fine for parking there and lost an appeal against the punishment.

Tom, who used to be the landlord of the Red Lion and Bull and Butcher pubs on Westleigh Lane, said: "I parked on The Avenue, where the white box lines are, after first trying the hospital car park, which was full.

"I was advised by the warden that disabled pass holders could park there all day as long as their disabled pass is clearly in view, which it was."

In his appeal against the fine to the council's enforcement team he said: "I accept that I am the one who made the mistake of not looking at the signs that are clearly in view, but considering that I had been instructed by one of your officers I would ask you to waive the fine."

In turning down the appeal, Emma Barton, assistant director for economic development at the council, said: “We receive numerous complaints from residents with regards to the parking levels on The Avenue from visitors to the hospital.

"We have changed the parking arrangements just outside the infirmary to try to make it easier for residents who were really struggling to find parking places.

“Unfortunately Mr Park was parked in a resident zone and he has recognised this in his appeal.

"We continue to work with the infirmary to review its parking arrangements and demands, as there are disabled parking facilities within the grounds.

"There are limited waiting bays available on The Avenue where visitors to the hospital can park for two hours and for disabled drivers to park as long as they need to.

“These limited waiting bays are clearly marked, but in some areas they are next to the residents' permit parking bays.

"The residents' permit zones are for residents only and there are signs which clearly show which bay is which to try to accommodate all the parking demands in the area."