A BURY car parking attendant has been suspended following allegations that he falsified a penalty notice.

Operators NCP confirmed that the unnamed warden, believed to live in Elton, has been suspended pending an "urgent internal" investigation into an allegation regarding "malicious ticket issue".

The inquiry follows allegations by Mr Robert Gregory, of Royds Street, Tottington, that a ticket was issued following a civil dispute with the man.

According to the penalty notice issued, Mr Gregory's vehicle was parked illegally in White Street, Bury, on November 10 2003. But Mr Gregory said: "The vehicle was never there and was on my driveway, where it has been for five months. It could not be moved due to mechanical problems.

"I believe the warden saw the van on my driveway and wrongly assumed it was my works vehicle, which it wasn't. The vehicle did not at the time even belong to me, and secondly, he did not realise that it could not be moved."

Mr Gregory took the penalty charge to adjudication at the beginning of April, where the hearing was adjourned on a technicality. But the car parking appeals adjudicator commented that it was "a serious allegation" and asked the council if the parking attendant could attend the hearing when and if it was resumed.

Mr Gregory said: "When I first heard that the registered owner of the vehicle had received the penalty notice through the post, I approached the council and explained that the vehicle was off the road and had been for many months. But they refused to take any notice.

"I am pleased that NCP are finally investigating my complaint."

A spokesman for NCP said: "We confirm that the attendant concerned has been suspended. NCP treats any allegation regarding malicious ticket issue very seriously and is conducting a thorough and urgent internal investigation."

A Bury Council spokesman said: "NCP is carrying out its own internal investigation. Once that is concluded we will get involved and take it further if we feel it is necessary."