Elderly motorist Robert Pike says he received a parking ticket after a traffic warden told him he could park in North Street, Wellington.

Blue badge holder Mr Pike, 75, said he stopped about 60 yards down from Winston’s barber shop, where he was going for a haircut, and saw the warden.

He added: “I held my card up and the parking warden nodded his head and put his thumbs up, so I thought ‘that’s alright’.”

Mr Pike, who lives at Prowses in Hemyock, said he was parking at about 8.30am and left his car, where he has parked for the last 40 years, on a single yellow line.

He has cellulitis in his right leg and cannot walk far, and has been a blue badge holder for about ten years. He plans to appeal the fine.

He said: “I had a chat with the parking warden for about a minute, wished him a nice day and he wished me the same back.

“Then when I came back a nice day turned into a nightmare. A £70 fine is a lot out of my pocket – to do that to someone of my age is a bit unfortunate.”

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “We can confirm a penalty has been served as described. Whilst a blue badge was on display, if it is not displayed correctly then a penalty will be served. Reasons could include if the blue badge is upside down, out of date, no corresponding time clock or the time clock is set incorrectly.

“Any driver who wishes to challenge a penalty is encouraged to make contact with us so we can consider their mitigating circumstances. Due to data protection we cannot be more specific without the driver’s authority.”