A toll road's rising bollard has claimed another "victim".

Sean Kenny, of Tow Law, County Durham, said he was unaware that Durham City's toll road, at the entrance to the Market Place, had become automated.

So when he approached the toll point last week and saw it was unmanned he pulled over, as he thought the ticket warden had left the post.

Mr Kenny said he saw a driver go through with a ticket so - as he did not know where to get one from himself - he followed the car.

But he did not get far before a bollard rose from the ground, piercing the underside of his Ford Feista van and causing nearly £800 of damage.

Pub landlord Mr Kenny said: "The whole thing is deliberately engineered to maim a vehicle for a lousy £2.

"I was told I was the fourth person for this to happen to since it had become automated. The last one was Dutch, so he wouldn't even have been able to read the sign. Why can't they use a barrier?"

The bollard allows motorcyclists and cyclists, who are exempt from the charge, to go through, and once drivers have paid the fee it sinks into the ground.

But some motorists say the system has damaged their cars by popping up unexpectedly, although council officials say it should not happen to drivers who pay.

Mr Kenny is trying to claim compensation from Durham County Council, which is responsible for the toll. He rejects the council's response that he was tailgating the car in front to avoid paying.

A council spokesman said it would not be paying Mr Kenny any compensation.

He said: "It's all clearly marked. There are enough signs to warn people."