A MOTHER is struggling to gain access to her home after council officials banned her from driving across a public car park.

Paula Jo Barker has used Bondgate car park, in Bishop Auckland, as an easy route to her front door for 17 years.

But a dispute over wheel- clamping has led to Wear Valley District Council banning her from using the route.

Mrs Barker, whose house is in the corner of the car park, said the row started after a teenager, who was parked on her land, had his car clamped.

She said: "I have had problems with people parking on my land for years and blocking access to my drive.

"The council even came out and put letters on the cars to ask them not to park there anymore. In the end I was advised to employ a car clamping firm.

"I don't make any money. All that happens is that my access is left free. I don't like the fact that people are being clamped, but I had no choice.''

Since the unknown teenager's car was clamped, the council has been bombarded with calls complaining about Mrs Barker, saying she is running an illegal business issuing parking permits and making money from the wheel- clamping.

She said: "These people are using the council to harass me. I have given parking permits to friends and no money has exchanged hands. Now they have found something in the bylaw that says I should not be gaining access to my home across the car park."

Mrs Barker has a drive leading to her home which needs repairs that she says she cannot afford.

She said: "I have been using the car park for the whole of the time I have lived here, because I didn't realise it was a problem.

"I think it is so silly that people can drive in and out of the car park, yet I am not allowed to drive to my house."

A spokesman for the council said: "We have got every sympathy with Mrs Barker, but we have to be seen to be upholding the legal situation.''