CLAIMS that traffic wardens in Prestwich are "over-zealous" have been denied by Bury's car parking chief.

John Foudy, Bury Council's car parking services manager, said NCP wardens were just doing their job in regulating problem parking.

He said the idea that wardens were "flooding" the area was a common misconception and only 12 employees were on duty throughout the borough at any one time.

Speaking to members of Prestwich area board, Mr Foudy said: "People have noticed in Prestwich that there are quite a few wardens about. Before we took over the running of the service and employed contractors NCP 15 months ago, the traffic warden service was running down and there was a very light service as a result. It may look like there are more about because there were so few before."

The Bury Times has reported a number of stories from motorists who claim they have unfairly received a fine for parking.

Disabled driver Sheila Kirkham, who represents Bury Elders Forum on the area board, said she had received a fine the week before Christmas after parking in the Longfield Centre car park.

She said she had parked in a disabled bay and displayed her badge to go shopping for 20 minutes. On her return she discovered a fine notice, issued just two minutes after leaving her vehicle.

She said: "That is being over zealous! The warden must have seen me leave my car. I walk with a stick and it is obvious I am disabled but the wind had blown my badge and the first digit of the serial number was covered.

"I had to make two trips to Bury to appeal against the fine. If that warden had any common sense they would have waited and pulled me up about it on my return. That is discrimination against a disabled person."

Coun Keith Grime said other complaints included traffic wardens issuing fines in Church Lane while parishioners were in St Mary's Church where "by custom and practice" parking regulations had been ignored in the past.

He said: "There are double yellow lines but cars parking there are not posing any danger and it is debatable whether the lines should be there."

Mr Foudy said they were finding out about certain areas that needed re-assessing by default, adding: "Sometimes we may have to issue a penalty charge notice to realise that it is a problem area."

He urged anyone who thought they had been issued a fine unfairly to go through the appeals process.