MORE than 8,000 Worcester drivers have appealed against parking tickets in less than two years - with an incredible 43 per cent WINNING their case.

The Worcester News can exclusively reveal how since April 2015 a whopping 25,652 motorists have been slapped with fines by traffic wardens, the equivalent of more than 320 every week.

But an astonishing 8,194 irate drivers appealed and almost half of them were let off, leading to claims wardens are being "over-zealous".

The findings, revealed in a Freedom of Information request to Worcester City Council, also show how parking tickets have stung drivers to the tune of £770,090 during the same period.

The pile-up of successful appeals reached 3,581 from April 2015 up to the end of November last year, the figures reveal.

The council says it has a policy of letting people off "on one occasion only" if the circumstances are deemed to merit it, meaning it could have been even higher.

Driver Paul Whittaker, 37, who lives off London Road in Worcester, said: "My wife was 'done' a few weeks back because they reckoned we hadn't paid for parking, which was wrong.

"We appealed and they said fair enough but there must be loads of people this happens to, they are on to you that fast.

"It's a disgrace the money they are getting from it, you've got these wardens all over the place looking to catch you out, I think they are over-zealous."

The city council says it employs 10 traffic wardens, known as Civil Enforcement Officers, to dish out the fines, and has called its policy "fair".

A spokesman said there are "a number of reasons" why appeals are allowed but most of them result in drivers not displaying tickets properly.

He said: "There are a number of reasons that can result in a successful appeal, and every case appeal is considered individually.

"Most of these are where customers have not displayed a valid ticket, permit or badge but are able to show they had one.

"In these circumstances the council has upheld appeals where this is the first contravention for the individual motorist.

"We'd urge all drivers to ensure their ticket, badge or permit is clearly visible through the windscreen so this can be avoided."

Parking prices in Worcester are expected to be frozen for the next year, with a vote taking place on it next month.

Last month we revealed how since 2011 the city council has made £11.3 million in profits from its car parks.

* Were you unfairly stung with a parking fine in Worcester? Call 01905 742248 or email te@worcesternews.co.uk.