MY friend and I were recently enjoying a meal at The Chestnut Tree public house and an older couple came who knew my friend.

This older couple – he was 90 while his wife was, I believe, in her 80s – seemed extremely upset and close to tears.

The husband and his wife said they had driven into Andover to collect some shopping and had parked up in a disabled parking area.

His wife set the time on their disabled clock card while they went about their shopping.

They arrived back at their car shortly after, and found a parking ticket on their windscreen which he gave to me unopened, and asked me to open it as he was so upset.

Their ‘fine’ total was for £70, simply because his wife had not placed their disabled sticker in their windscreen.

She had simply forgotten, although it was in the car.

I advised them to contest this fine at TVBC offices, which they did. After explaining in detail exactly what had happened the attending officer reduced it to £35.

Surely the ‘jobsworth’ traffic officer who placed the penalty ticket on their windscreen could have easily contacted TVBC via their mobile telephone to confirm that this vehicle was authorised to have a disabled sticker, and saved these dear old pensioners all this hassle and stress?

I hope that TVBC cancel this fine completely and write a letter of apology to these very senior citizens.

Stuart Mills, Elmstead Park, via e-mail

A TVBC spokesman said: “We regret the couple have been upset. The notice was issued correctly because the vehicle was parked in a disabled space without a visible blue badge. The council has reviewed the appeal and a response has been sent.

“The time clocks should be used alongside a blue badge.

A time clock is not proof that an individual is entitled to a blue badge and the council would not accept it on its own as proof of eligibility.

“Hampshire County Council issues blue badges to an individual, not a vehicle. Due to the Data Protection Act, our enforcement officers would be unable to find out if the registered keeper of a car has been issued a badge. In addition, the disabled person may not be the registered keeper or driver of the vehicle.”