A DRIVER has criticised a parking company for placing its payment signs too high for him to read.

Terry Wardle, aged 72, was surprised to receive a £75 fine after parking at the Tybridge Retail Park, Worcester, shortly before Christmas.

The Euro Car Parks-owned site, which is used by Homebase, MacDonald's and Aldi customers, allows two hours' worth of free parking before drivers have to pay.

But, after having breakfast at McDonald's and then shopping at Aldi - Mr Wardle unknowingly ran over the allotted free time by 18 minutes.

"I was very surprised to find after New Year I had got this ticket before Christmas," said the York Place resident.

"I thought: 'What the heck is this?' It was a bit of a shock for the New Year."

There are around a dozen signs with instructions on how to pay for tickets around the large car park, off Hylton Road, along with two parking meters.

The payment signs are placed at a variety of different heights.

"When I tried to read some of these notices yesterday, they are about nine foot high up on a pole - I can't read them," said Mr Wardle.

"I only know what they said because I went there with a camera, got some pictures and blew them up on the screen.

"They do say that you have only got two hours free in the car park and then you have got to pay.

"There is no problem with that. I can't read the damn things because they are too high up."

The grandfather also claimed there were no signs instructing customers how to pay for tickets over the phone.

"I'm not going to pay, I can't read the signs," added Mr Wardle. "It just seems crazy to me."

The Worcester News contacted Euro Car Parks several times, but at the time of going to press had not received a response.