A DUNFERMLINE man has blasted traffic wardens after being hit with a hefty fine while making a donation to charity.

Gerald Crichton contacted the Press after he nipped out of his car in Bridge Street to drop some toys off at the Sense charity shop.

Although he had spotted the parking wardens in the street, he was hopeful he wouldn’t be penalised for the flying visit.

“I stopped directly outside the shop and noticed two parking wardens watch me empty the boot,” he said.

“I was just emptying a few bags out of the boot. I then carried the toys around 20 feet to the store.

"I dropped the bags, filled in a gift aid certificate and came out to find a parking ticket and no wardens in sight. 

“The time on the ticket states my car was seen at 11:14 and the ticket issued at 11:15!

“It is very disappointing. From our point of view, it puts us right off doing that in the future. It is an expensive stop.”

Mr Crichton, of Albany Street, said he feels that he could have been looked at sympathetically and the wardens could have just asked him to move.

“Our town centre is struggling and being propped up by these charity shops,” he said.

“I have to wonder what the motivation of the parking wardens is when they give tickets so promptly.

"Especially when they can see what is happening and there are options to have the car moved more quickly than giving the ticket.

“I find this utterly depressing.”

Mr Crichton has challenged the ticket and said: “Either way, the outcome of this is to discourage one local family from donating their children’s old toys, books and clothes to the local economy.

"I have a five- and 10-year-old so there are many more boot-loads of goods in the coming years – if we decide to run the risk of a £60 ticket when dropping off.

“I’m not sure what message the council is sending by enforcing the parking regulations so pedantically. Isn’t the parking in town to service the local community and encourage the growth of the town centre?”

Fife Council’s Tony McRae said: “Signs and lines are in place, clearly stating these restrictions. Anyone who parks in contravention of the parking restrictions is liable to receive a parking ticket. Parking tickets can be appealed and any mitigating circumstances will be considered at that time.”