SUPERMARKET bosses have defended a controversial parking policy after a charity worker became the latest shopper to be caught out by the restrictions.

The Co-operative Group claims the vast majority of motorists are in favour of arrangements in place at the company's main store in Richmond.

However, shopper Toril Jenkins is fuming after receiving two fines for parking at the store.

A private parking company films vehicles entering and leaving the car park and fines motorists exceeding the two-hour free parking limit.

Mrs Jenkins, 48, a single parent with four children, has received two £45 penalty notices from the company.

As a careworker for Mencap she visits the store up to three times a day helping people with learning disabilities do their shopping.

Mrs Jenkins also uses the store for her own shopping.

It is believed these frequent visits on the same day have registered as one single trip to the store.

Single shopping trips with the charity's users can also take more than two hours.

She said: "The fines are a great deal of my wage and I'm so upset.

"I spend a great deal of money in the shop."

Mrs Jenkins was sent a £90 bill when she failed to pay the first fine.

The threat of bailiffs and court action meant she agreed to pay the original £45.

"In retrospect I think I was bullied into paying," she said.

The fines have now been cancelled after The Northern Echo stepped in.

The store has also arranged to have Mrs Jenkins exempted from the parking restrictions.

The exemption has been offered to other shoppers who use the supermarket in similar circumstances.

A Co-op spokeswoman said: "Obviously we do not want to impose measures that are unpopular with our valued customers.

"However, the parking restrictions at the store were introduced as a direct response to complaints from a significant number of customers that had difficulty parking at the store.

"We believe the vast majority of our customers are in favour of the restrictions which allow our customers to park and shop, although we acknowledge that, very regrettably, some people have been upset by fines they felt were unfair."

The company has published a free customer service number for people to ring if they have concerns about the parking restrictions.

The number is 0800-0686727.