Fury over New Year parking tickets

Partygoers in Beverley thought council car parks in the market town would be free as they had been on previous Saturdays during the festive season.

But their reward for trying to avoid drinking-and-driving was being hit with unwelcome New Year hangovers as the council's offer expired at 8am on New Year's Day.

In total, 62 motorists were ticketed raising 3,700 for the council.

Mother-of-one Catherine Rigg, 43, said: "I parked my little yellow Peugeot in a council car park at 7pm on New Year's Eve.

"When I got back to it at midday the next day it had a ticket. There were quite a few with tickets on, I couldn't believe it. We all just stood there in amazement.

"You'd have thought New Year's Day would be free with it being a public holiday.

"I thought I was being sensible leaving the car. It never struck me they would be handing out tickets."

Landlords also condemned the action. Dave Buttery, licensee at the Angel pub, said: "I'd certainly be outraged if I was trying to stay on the right side of the law by not drink-driving and I got a ticket."

Paul Yeats, owner of the Oddfellows Arms, added: "It's a bit out of order to fine people like that. The taxi rates were doubled on New Year's Eve.

Council signs in the town clearly state that parking is free on Sundays but not on any other days – but free parking was extended to Saturdays in December in a bid to boost local trade.

A council spokesman said: "East Riding Council offered free parking in its car parks on Saturdays and Sundays during December, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

"This was advertised in the car parks and in the local press and clearly stated that this was only for December. The council issued 62 parking tickets on New Year's Day in its car parks."