ON November 9 I was given a parking fine. Not an everyday occurrence for me and, therefore, an annoyance. In this case however it was rather puzzling as I couldn't really understand how I had contravened the parking laws.

The 'offence' was in Darwen Street, Blackburn, within the parking bays in front of Radio Lancashire. These bays are marked out in stainless steel cobbles and at each end of the row there is a disabled parking bay marked by a vertical sign on it saying 'disabled parking' and an arrow to clearly show which bay it is referring to.

Next to this bay is a strange triangular bay which is difficult to park in but possible with a small car. I parked in this triangular bay, checked the disabled sign, saw the arrow pointing to the disabled bay and decided I was not breaking the law. Wrong!

Some minutes later on returning there was a parking attendant about to place a penalty charge notice on my car. I asked why and was told I had parked in the disabled space. I pointed out the bay markings and the notice with arrow but to no avail.

If the parking attendant is correct then the bay markings are incorrect (and in some places if you don't park within the lines you can be fined so you do have to look and follow them) and possibly the disabled parking sign may also be incorrect.

Whether right or wrong they are confusing and if you happen to be the person given the penalty notice charge when you've taken the trouble to look and check you're OK and then paid for the privilege, all be it 50p, it is galling. How many others have been 'got'.

ROBIN JONES, Burnley Road East, Water, Rossendale