A CHARITY worker who was ticketed hours after her ANNUAL parking permit expired has slammed the council for not allowing drivers a “grace period”.

Mother-of-one Hajra Mir, 34, of Leucha Road, pays for a £45 annual ticket allowing her to park outside her home.

But yesterday morning she was surprised to find a parking ticket on her car.

She then realised her annual permit had expired, but was shocked to find the council, unlike many other authorities, did not allow a few days grace period for annual permit holders. SHe also says she did not recieve a reminder notice.

She said: “I do whatever I can not to break the rules or park in stupid places and I am a resident who pays to park in my road.

“I think it is heavy-handed to ticket someone within such a short space of time after the expiration.”

Some authorities, including Wandsworth Borough Council, in south London, allow a week's grace for motorists with expired annual permits.

Conservative group leader Matt Davis said his party believes there should be a grace period of seven days and reminder letters sent out.

Cllr Davis said: "This is part and parcel of the increasingly oppressive approach of this council to enforcement of all types.

"This council seems to have forgotten it exists to do things for the people and not to the people."

Ms Mir is to appeal the £60 fine.

The Guardian is awaiting an explanation of the policy from the council.