An 84-year-old pensioner is being forced to pay for a parking ticket he got on his own driveway.

Retired master builder, Charles Heathcote, parked on the drop kerb he paid Croydon Council more than £400 to install.

He said he parked in that position, as he as always done, because he often cleans it and de-weeds it to keep him from having to pay out to have it redone.

Mr Heathcote said: “I quite clearly explained to the council in my appeal letter why I was parked there and it was my own drive I was parked across but they refused to take any notice.

In his appeal letter to Croydon Council Mr Heathcote said: “I am an 84-year-old cancer sufferer, my wife is 87.

“I am a registered blue badge holder and I need the aid of a walking stick outside the house due to pins in a broken hip.

“I can neither taste or smell or eat or drink, is it any wonder I want to park near my house when the carriageway parking places are taken up by commuters?

“I consider and I feel my appeal against the penalty fine is justified.”

A council spokesman said: “As is the case with any motorist, Mr Heathcote is entitled to lodge an appeal with the parking adjudicator against the penalty charge notice issued to his vehicle.”