ON Saturday I visited Thirsk for the first time since parking charges were introduced by Hambleton District Council.

First, I found that disabled drivers could only park free in designated spaces. There were three spaces in a large, long-stay car park making it irrelevant as they were probably full by 8am.

Then I reached the ticket machine and it said £1.50 for the day. Not bad, but I only had £2 in change. There was a slot that looked as if it was designed to give change so I put in my coins and got a ticket, but no change: 50p to the robbers.

My partner wanted to call at Lewis & Cooper (a big smile from the young lady serving) so we called at Northallerton on the way back. I parked in the short-stay car park and again only had a £1 coin for an 80p stay.

Another 20p to the robbers.

Well, it will be a while before I return and if the number of empty shops is anything to go by I am not the only one.

Tom Cooper, Durham City.