A MOTORIST claims "time flies" at the Royal Bolton Hospital - because bosses forgot to put forward the clocks on a car parking machine.

Michael Hallam says he paid for four hours but actually only got three.

The 57-year-old visited the Accident and Emergency department on Easter Sunday for treatment and paid for a parking ticket.

Mr Hallam walked back to his car and realised the machine had only given him a ticket for three hours.

When he went back to check, he saw the clock was an hour behind the current time because it had not been altered to take account of British Summer Time.

Mr Hallam, of Glenshee Drive, Deane, said he returned to his car before the time expired so did not receive a parking ticket.

The retired engineer said: "How many other ticket machines in the car park are incorrect?

"No doubt the 'oversight' of those in charge of car parking could well have netted some additional income since March 28.

"I was not affected as we were seen quickly at A & E and my treatment only took just over an hour, but others may have been."

A spokesman for the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "The problem affected one machine in the Chadwick car park. The parking attendants are aware of the problem and are taking it into account when checking vehicles.

"No-one has been penalised as a result of the incorrect time.

"We have informed the team which looks after the machines and are still awaiting repair.

"The parking machine is still in operation because to put it out of service would mean the hospital losing too much revenue."