APCOA, the company at the centre of the parking controversy, is a German-owned company.

It also runs three town centre car parks: the Octagon, Market Place and Bow Street sites.

It is western Europe's largest parking management firm and has divisions in 13 countries.

APCOA has been established in Britain since 1971. It competed and won the contract to run the parking service for Bolton Council in 2000.

Bolton's 29 parking attendants are responsible for following traffic management guidelines laid down by the council to keep routes free and traffic moving if areas get congested.

Traffic wardens are paid around £15,000 a year.