A PARKING ticket issued to a sick pensioner after his disabled badge was obscured by frost has been cancelled.

Southampton City Council bosses took action when 68-year-old Frank Hayward, who suffers from arthritis, a heart condition, and has an artificial knee, made a complaint.

After a four-day wait the former electrician, who has to walk with the aid of a frame, learned he will not have to pay the fine and now insists the council should accept the blame.

He said: "I am obviously relieved that the ticket has been cancelled but I did nothing wrong and I would've gone to prison if I had to."

Father of one Mr Hayward, who lives with his wife Marjorie, 66, had parked his car as usual in a disabled bay outside his house when a neighbour spotted a parking attendant writing out the £30 ticket.

A council spokesman said: "Mr Hayward's ticket has been withdrawn on appeal. The ticket was reasonable at the time because his own disabled ticket was not visible to the attendant. He does not dispute this and recognises that it is his responsibility, but we have listened to his case and on this occasion we have been sympathetic."