ON Saturday, August 25, I parked on the Market Place car park in Bolton. I was only able to park on the 3rd storey.

I was parked for 35 minutes and, on leaving, followed the instructions at the pay and display.

I paid 90 pence walked back to my car and drove down to the exit. Unfortunately there was a queue at the exit (due to people who had forgot to pay before they left their parking place), so I had to wait for them to get out of their cars and walk to the kiosk to pay before leaving.

When it came to me entering my ticket in the machine it rejected it. Unaware of doing anything wrong I to went to the kiosk and explained to the man that my ticket did not work.

He then informed me I was a few seconds late and I would have to pay 50 pence more. I said: 'I would not have been if there had not been a delay at the exit.' But he very arrogantly insisted I had taken too long to drive down from the 3rd storey. He also admitted I was not the first to complain about the time limit and said the machines needed adjusting, but still wanted his 50 pence more. After trying to reason with the man, I reluctantly paid.

So for 35 minutes I paid £1.40. My message to APCOA Parking Ltd is: 'It is people like you who driving shoppers out of town.' Trafford Centre will be my destination in future.

Mrs Janet Kay

Norbreck Gardens

Bolton