A PARKING warden slapped tickets on the mayor's limousine - and two police vehicles.

The mayor's chauffeur had parked the official car outside Bolton Central police station while the mayor, Cllr Prentice Howarth, was on official duties at a Victorian Street Market in Le Mans Crescent.

A police van and police car had been parked in designated police spaces when they and the mayor's car got a ticket between 11am and 11.30am on Monday.

Cllr Howarth and the police did not wish to comment about the bookings, but Council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson said: "It's ludicrous. There's no other way to describe the situation.

"We need to get our act together because this makes the whole town look silly."

Cllr Ronson added: "Wardens ought to be able to recognise the Mayor's official vehicle and police cars. It's simple common sense.

"It's either down to the wardens being over-zealous or under-trained. There is a review of the entire parking policy under way but that shouldn't be needed to avoid this sort of situation.

"Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this has happened."

A council spokesman said: "We are aware that the Mayor's official car was issued with a ticket.

"The matter is currently being reviewed by parking services."

Two years ago, the Mayor of Bolton Cllr John Walsh had been to a performance of The Wakes at Bolton Little Theatre when his Mayoral car was booked.

His chauffeur was booked for parking the car on double yellow lines outside the theatre in Hanover Street.