A SINGLE-MOTHER has been left “furious” after an act of Christmas generosity landed her a £70 parking ticket.

Aimi Price, of Worcester, parked for just 2 minutes in a loading-only bay while she dropped off donations to a St Richard’s Hospice charity shop, but was still slapped with the fine by council parking attendants.

The 37-year-old, whose appeal against the ticket was rejected by Worcester City Council, has lambasted the local authority for being overzealous with the rules.

She said: “I was really, really upset and furious that I had gone out of my way to try and support a local charity and ended up with a fine.

“I tried to explain what had happened to the enforcement officers and staff from the shop even came out to try and argue my case, but they didn’t seem to care.

“They wouldn’t even give me 60 seconds of grace and I can’t believe how quickly they issued the ticket.

“The council has discretion to overturn penalties and surely my circumstances would have been a prime example of when this would be appropriate.

“If this is what is going to happen then people are not going to be able to donate to charity shops.”

The aggrieved resident, whose ticket stated her vehicle was incorrectly parked from 4.25pm to 4.25pm, added she had attempted to leave her car in the Cornmarket car park but it was full.

She then decided to use the loading bay briefly, which she claims was not particularly clearly signed as for good vehicles only, while her 11-year-old son stayed in the passenger seat.

The penalty fine is £35 if paid within 14 days or £70 thereafter.

Ms Price added: “I am a single-mother who works full-time and with Christmas coming up it is bad timing to have been penalised.

“I think the work of St Richard’s Hospice is really important and they will probably make about £100 from the clothes, books and bric-a-brac I donated.

“I’d feel happier paying the £35 to the charity rather than to the council.”

A spokeswoman for Worcester City Council said: “The loading bay where Ms Price parked is for use by goods vehicles only.

“Alternative parking is available in Trinity Street less than two minutes away.”