DARWEN shop owner Ian Buxton, pictured, is celebrating after police did a U-turn over a parking fine collected at 4.45am on a deserted street.

Ian, a partner in family bakery Buxton's, left his car outside work on pedestrianised Bridge Street in the early hours instead of parking it behind the building where, just weeks before, it had been vandalised.

When he returned at 7.30am - after working solidly for five hours - he was amazed to find a ticket on his windscreen.

Ian's business partner and mother Connie Buxton said: "Fair enough, Ian was in the wrong, but cars are parked on Bridge Street all day without getting so much as a second look from police. Ian parked the car in front of the shop because it has been vandalised round the back in the car park."

But after he contacted local MP Janet Anderson and the Citizen, police have waived the fine, and issued a letter of caution instead.

Mrs Buxton said: "He had every intention of moving the car to the rear of the building once it was light and he knew the car would be safe. We intend to donate the £20 fine to Darwen branch of the Scanner Appeal and are happy with the police promise to keep a better eye on Bridge Street's parking situation."

Inspector Stuart Coates of Darwen Police said: "There are occasions where there should be an element of discretion in the issue of a notice. Although there was no way of knowing the car belonged to someone from the bakery, we accept it may have been inappropriate to issue a ticket at 4.45am.

"Accordingly, enforcement of the notice has been withdrawn and I thank the Citizen for bringing the matter to my attention."

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