A BOLTON driver got a parking ticket from a London council - even though his car was more than 200 miles away in his home town.

And his furious MP is calling for a full inquiry and a major review of procedures nationwide following the blunder.

Southwark Council has now written to the motorist, who does not want to be named, and to Bolton South East MP David Young, apologising for the mistake.

But Mr Young is determined to press the London council's officials for a full explanation on how the innocent driver's details got onto a parking fines list. He also plans to seek a Government led review of how local authorities pursue motorists for cash.

It is not clear exactly how the Bolton man's car registration details appeared on the blacklist, although Mr Young believes an administrative error could be to blame.

He said: "Southwark were pressing this man to pay the fine despite him sending a full explanation that his car never left Bolton on the date in question.

"Through persistence, this motorist has finally received an apology but it is very worrying that this was ever allowed to happen in the first place. "Other motorists wrongly accused might decide it is easier just to pay the money to get them off their backs."

Mr Young added: "I am also concerned about suggestions I have heard that some councils are putting very heavy emphasis on pursuing parking fines because they see them as a key source of generating revenue."

Mr Young said the Bolton driver faced regular "harassment" to pay since he first received the fine in February.

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