DOZENS of workers and shoppers in Andover have been parking illegally in the town's Lidl car park - while the machines which issue tickets to park there are out of action.

The Andover Advertiser has received several calls from motorists aggrieved at being landed with a £60 flat-rate fine for parking in the car park while at work or visiting the town.

But Test Valley Borough Council officers say the conditions of the short-stay car park still apply.

It is for the use of Lidl shoppers or other motorists paying to park for less than two hours.

David Wilson, who is in charge of car parks at the council, said: "We've tried to go easy with people, but we've had to start ticketing because people have cottoned on to the fact that the machines aren't working.

"It's got to the stage where Lidl customers can't get into the car park and shop so we've started checking number plates so people realise that the conditions of the car park still apply.

"There are also a lot of people who have been booked for parking outside their marked bay at Lidl. It is worth mentioning that at this time of year we are short of spaces anyway and people need to park in just one bay."

The council is working with Lidl to try and resolve the problems with the ticket machines.