TRAFFIC wardens pounced to issue two parking fines...on a car left dumped and burnt-out in Bolton town centre.

Two fixed penalty fines have been issued to the C-registered Renault hatchback, left outside the headquarters of the Salvation Army in St George's Road, Bolton.

One notice, warning of the possible risk of a £20 or £40 fine, was issued on Saturday. Another was attached yesterday.

A passer-by, who did not want to be named, rang the Bolton Evening News and said: "I just could not believe it. I was amazed when I saw this burnt out car with a parking ticket on it.

"The car looks in a terrible state and to issue a parking ticket is quite bizarre. People were walking past and staring."

Soot from the blaze has blackened out all the windows. The interior is completely destroyed and both of the front tyres have been slashed. Front and rear lights have also been smashed.

The issuing of parking tickets has been surrounded by controversy with a series of complaints made by members of the public. Many angry drivers have claimed that they have been unfairly treated and numerous motorists have criticised the parking fines system through the BEN's letters page.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "There is a procedure to be followed in cases of alleged abandoned vehicles and the police need to be satisfied that a vehicle has really been abandoned before they will allow us to take it away. The issuing of three parking tickets would be one indication that a vehicle had been abandoned."