A PARKING ticket campaigner has been issued with a fine after leaving a car park with his number plate attached to a shopping trolley.

Lynn Robson, 69, from Peterlee, in County Durham, set up the stunt at the town’s Asda store where cameras enforce the supermarket’s three hours free parking.

He entered in his own car but then removed its number plate and returned later and attached it to the trolley.

Mr Robson said: “There's supposed to be a thorough check on all tickets and associated ‘evidence’ before the issue of a ticket and yet they still sent a ticket for payment of a fine for the shopping trolley.

“The pictures they sent were dark but that's something they can eliminate by using a proper illumination on the entry roads.”

Mr Robson, who works as an agent for ladies’ clothing companies, became a campaigner after he was given two tickets and clamped on the same day during a trip to London.

After his visit to Asda, where he deliberately overstayed by 45 minutes, he was issued with a fine for £100.

Photographic evidence attached shows his number plate but the trolley is unclear as it is dark.

Mr Robson, who campaigns on the motorists’ advice forum, Pepipoo, added: “An ANPR system only shows the time of arrival past the camera and then on the way out. It doesn't show the time of parking which may be a lot less.”

Asda uses a company called Smart Parking to monitor its car park at Peterlee.

Smart Parking made no comment when contacted by The Northern Echo and no-one was available to comment at Asda.