A CAR magazine has criticised a controversial parking scheme.

Auto Express investigated the system introduced in Scarborough in June 2000.

The restrictions include on-street charges and disc zones in more than 400 streets.

However, the magazine found ten examples of signs and road markings that it said showed the scheme had been wrongly implemented.

These included old road markings left in place, a lack of parking notices and parking signs which were set too low.

Parking scheme expert Richard Bentley, who is quoted in the magazine's article, said motorists across Britain should be tearing up parking fines because rules relating to double yellow lines and warning signs were often ignored.

The town's parking system was also investigated last year by the local government Ombudsman. Inspectors found that many streets did not have adequate signs advising drivers of parking restrictions.

The council was criticised for failing to paint sufficient road markings and for recovering unpaid fines using a private debt-collection agency, rather than through the magistrates' court system.

A council spokesperson said: "In her report, the Ombudsman concluded that the actions taken by the council had provided a remedy for any injustice found.

"Legal advice received by the council also confirms that the parking scheme in Scarborough is compliant with the spirit of the regulations.

"We would not advocate ripping up parking tickets. If someone feels they have received a ticket in error, they should speak to the council's parking services."