DUE to health problems, my wife and I had not visited Darlington for some time.

On Saturday, July 21, we parked in Abbott's Yard in the Blue Badge zone. When we returned to the car, we had incurred a £25 parking fine.

Enquiry at Darlington Borough Council revealed that fees for badge holders had been introduced earlier this year.

We paid the fine saying that signage should be displayed to ensure badge holders knew they had to go and pay at the meter. I cautioned the council that should the correct signage not be installed soon then I would bring this matter to your attention. Hence this letter.

We were in town on Saturday, parked and paid but still no signage. Abbott's Yard car park appears to be being used as a cash cow against Blue Badge holders.

The council's attitude has not deterred us from fortnightly visits. Had we gone negative and stopped coming then the retail sector of the town would have lost possibly an annual spend by us of £1,250 and some.

Let's not hear of talk by the council about helping the shopkeepers of Darlington to prosper if the present parking regime continues.

We are not the only ones who've been caught out at Abbott's Yard!

Ken Smith, Durham