BURY Council could have to re-pay tens of thousands of pounds after "illegally" fining motorists with out-of-date tax discs.

But they are refusing to reveal exactly how many drivers will be joining the queue for compensation after a landmark High Court ruling.

An adjudication ruled that Bexley Council in London had acted beyond its powers by imposing fines on cars with out-of-date tax discs parked on council car parks.

Bury has been slapping £15 fines on local drivers for the past two years. Nearly 800 were trapped by the controversial bye-law in the first two months - many of them within hours of their car tax expiring. That hard-line policy was eased after a succession of town hall protests by angry motorists accusing the council of a money-making scam.

Car park attendants, all employed by the Royal British Legion, were told to allow two weeks grace before imposing the fines.

Borough engineer Mr Mike Cannon this week refused to tell the Bury Times how many motorists had been fined.

Now the whole policy might have to be scrapped and the fined motorists reimbursed. Mr Stan Monaghan, director of corporate resources, said the council was aware of the legal case and said town hall lawyers were studying the ramifications.

"I assume, if that's the law and it applies to Bury, we have no option but to change our policy," he said.

"I am not certain about refunds, but it's quite possible."

The policy caused an outcry when it was first introduced in Bury, with drivers condemning the council's "Gestapo"-style tactics.

News of the High Court verdict prompted one motorist to seek an immediate refund.

"I went to the town hall and asked for a refund," said the driver. "They said they would look into it."

The motorist, who asked not to be named, was fined after he parked his new car in Bury while on his way to Manchester to sort out his special tax disc as a disabled driver.

"At the time I just paid up and left it," he said.

"But now I want my money back."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.