I WANT to let you know the distressing experience I had thanks to the controversial Parkwise scheme in Burnley.

I care for three elderly men with learning difficulties who cannot cross roads by themselves. We were returning to our vehicle on Pioneer car park near to closing time on May 18.

One of my gentlemen lost his shoe as his lace had come undone, so I took him by T J Hughes to fasten it. When we rounded the corner, we saw a Parkwise attendant standing by our vehicle. I shouted but he had a crash helmet on and he did not hear me.

As there was a metal barrier and step with a muddy area to negotiate, I could not leave the men in my care.

When I reached the vehicle, he had issued a ticket. I asked how late I was. He replied "three minutes". I was very angry. It was 5.28pm. I told him he was "over zealous" as I was not inconveniencing anyone.

I appealed as soon as I returned home and the sympathetic lady on the phone told me to put it in writing, which I did. She told me she would put the ticket 'on hold'.

I heard nothing until July 14, almost nine weeks later, when a letter arrived telling me I had not paid and the fine was increased to £60.

In tears, I tried to phone Parkwise but the number seemed to have disappeared from the website. I could only get through on the number given to pay a fine.

I phoned Burnley Council and explained the situation. After a few minutes I received a phone call to say the ticket was now cancelled. The lady explained you are allowed five minutes leeway and the ticket was issued in the fifth minute.

I received a letter the following morning to say they had accepted the explanation given and the penalty charge notice was cancelled. It was a most upsetting experience which was needless.

If you were five minutes late and got a ticket, I suggest you appeal.

HEATHER HARRISON, Westgate, Burnley.