REGARDING Mrs Rita Harrison's experience with the parking meter in Fleetwood (LET, August 1), I had the same with the new meters installed in Garstang. On two occasions, I put in two 20p coins and was issued with tickets showing 20p only and one hour's parking.

In both cases, I did not realise what had happened until I returned to the car and looked at the tickets. I didn't encounter a warden or I may have been in the same position as Mrs Harrison.

These machines are more complicated than ones I have used before, as the vehicle registration number has to be punched in to make it work.

I wrote to Wyre Council, having written previously expressing my strong objection to the installation of parking meters in the first place.

I was told that the reason for the fault was that I had inserted the coins too quickly and should always make sure that the first one registers before inserting any more. This is not at all obvious to people unused to these machines.

Had I seen a warden, I can assure you that he would have got no more money out of me and I hope Mrs Harrison will take a similar stand.

JAMES SHORROCK, Cheltenham Road, Blackburn.

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