ON Wednesday August 13, I went to Mercer's store in Northgate, Blackburn, to place an order.

On arriving at the back entrance I could not park because a vehicle was blocking the parking space.

I drove around the vehicle and parked on the spare land opposite Mercer's, waiting whilst the vehicle moved.

I got out of the car and asked the driver how long would he be. He said: "Any minute now."

I went into Mercer's placed the order and immediately came out to move the car.

The other vehicle was just moving out. I got to my car and it had been clamped.

This was in the space of four minutes. The clampers must have been hiding behind one of the four cars on the land.

It cost me £60. I was told if I did not pay within the hour it would be towed away at an extra cost of £80.

One of Mercer's staff went to explain to the clampers, but it made no difference. I am told they are on commission,

I wrote to the firm, Pendle Security, explaining and also asked why was I not approached and told.

I know their "get out" is the notice warning people they would be clamped, but, surely, four minutes is ridiculous. What do you think?

K ROUND ((MR), Brookway, Blackburn.

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