A CHRISTENING was rudely interrupted when some unwelcome guests turned up at the car park of a Hampshire church.

Traffic wardens arrived half-way through the service at St Michael's Church in Bugle Street, Southampton, and put parking tickets on a number of the congregation's cars, causing many to rush outside and miss some of the service.

Six-month-old Chloe Farminer was so upset at having her big day spoilt that, with a little help from her father, she has written to the Daily Echo to voice her disgust.

Doting dad Kevan Farminer, 40, manager of The Ostrich Pub in Bedford Place, said: "St Michael's Square is right outside the church and it's obvious people parked there are at the church. I was absolutely furious that Chloe's special day was spoilt and it was a real downer on the day.

"There were three christenings that day and two of our guests got £30 tickets. At least another six people from the other groups got tickets as well.

"It's not on to fine people while they are in church."

Mum Rosalind Bache, 26, said: "We had about 30 guests there and family had come from all over the country.

"Half-way through the service people parked in the square were told to go out and move their cars because a traffic warden was outside putting tickets on them.

"It was really disappointing because we had been looking forward to the day for so long and it had taken so much planning."

Vicar the Rev Belinda Searle-Barnes said: "The church did have an arrangement with the city for a number of years that people could park on the square for Sunday services, weddings and funerals. But in February the city council said people could no longer park there.

"It's affecting the life of the church and it has been impossible to tell everyone that they can no longer park there.

"I was very upset when people at the christenings got parking tickets, particularly when they had come here to celebrate the christening of a child. It seems very inhospitable."

The square was renovated 15 years ago to enhance the area and provide a safe pedestrian area where special events could be held.

Twelve parking bays were removed. A council spokesman said: "It became apparent following this that indiscriminate parking was continuing to take place in the square in spite of the prohibition on traffic.

"As an additional measure, a 'no waiting at any time' restriction was introduced and marked with double yellow lines throughout the main area of the square.

"The reasons for introducing these measures remain valid and the parking restrictions are now being enforced by the city council on an impartial basis."