A FIRST visit to Bolton for many years and certainly our very last.

We arrived in Bolton on Friday morning, December 27 and, not sure of where the car parks were, eventually found one at Bath Street. It was obviously very busy, as it was the day after Boxing Day, but we eventually found a parking space. My wife went to pay for a four hour stay ticket, stuck it on the window and left to explore Bolton.

The old Market Hall and new shopping centre were lovely, all decorated nicely for the festive season. We did some shopping, had lunch and, at 3pm, returned to our car after quite a memorable visit to your festive town centre.

When we arrived at our car, I noticed something on the windscreen and thought it another advert for something. But no, what a different surprise it was. I had received a penalty charge notice. My wife and I both looked at our watches thinking we were over time. But not so, we still had 20 minutes to go.

As I read the notice it said "contravention had occurred being parked beyond the bay markings". As I looked around a further four cars had all the same tickets as mine. We had parked at the end of cars, first right up by a craft warehouse. We did notice there was to be no parking by the fence, due to the yellow lines. We assumed our car to be correctly positioned.

It was with disbelief that we had been booked with a £60 penalty fine, with the option of paying £30 if paid within 14 days. We then 'phoned up the number on the penalty notice and were told that parking had to be between definite parking lines. We then read the notice at the car park entrance, which informed car

owners to find a "parking space" -- no mention of parking lines being evident on the board. By now we had noticed other cars parked along the road to the bays, and, on the embankment, had been given penalty notices. We would not have parked there ourselves as we knew this could cause obstruction

I find this penalty charge to us, and other numerable people, to be a fraud. I have been a responsible car driver for 40 years and never had a ticket for anything regarding car parks or motor offences.

Bolton Council, or a company in charge of the car parks, are exploiting hundreds of people, who, like us, must park on that same spot, unaware of the consequences. Yellow markings or No Parking signs should be easily identified by car park users to ensure cars do not park there, or is it done on purpose to catch unsuspecting victims like us to fill council pockets to overflowing?

Bolton shopkeepers and businesses have spent a lot of time and money to encourage visitors to their town. But, on this evidence, Bolton Council seem to be determined to send visitors away to the likes of the Trafford Centre, where there is easy and carefree parking.

For us, and a lot more like us, who parked their car that day, it certainly wasn't the season of goodwill to all men.

Needless to say we will not be visiting Bolton town centre again -- ever.

W T Casson

Victoria Road East

Thornton Cleveleys