Clamped!

Mum-of-two Cheryl Broley, 35, fell victim to the parking enforcers on Monday afternoon when she dropped into Boots to buy some medicine for her sick seven-month-old daughter Roche.

Although she admits that she was parking illegally in the car park near to Connells Estate Agents, she claims the clampers, who demanded a £110 release fee, refused to take her explanation on board.

"I accept that I should not have parked there but the car park was full," said the housewife.

"I didn't want to use the disabled spaces so I parked in an area that was not marked out.

"I have been using this car park for a long time now and this is the first time it's happened.

"I only popped in to the store for five minutes to get some tablets for my daughter who was poorly."

When Mrs Broley, of Cloverlands in Haydon Wick, returned to her car two clampers were finishing the job.

"All they would say was 'we accept cash, debit or credit card'. I tried to explain that I had no cash on me and my chequebook was at home but they refused to listen.

"I kept saying that I needed to pick up my five-year-old daughter from school but they didn't seem to care. They then drove off.

"A nearby office worker came out and offered me his mobile phone and I called them back. When they returned I said that I could pay some of it now but I wouldn't have the full amount until Wednesday.

"I even asked them to follow me home, where I could offer them a cheque, but they said that was unacceptable and drove off again, leaving me and my small child stranded in the car park."

Mrs Broley went into Asda Wal-mart, where she was comforted by staff and given a cup of tea.

A manager then called the firm and it was finally arranged for her to withdraw £50 from a cash machine in the supermarket.

Mrs Broley, who is expecting a bill for the remainder to drop through her letterbox, is now demanding an apology for her treatment.

"I fully accept that I was in the wrong but I was treated disgustingly by these men.

"What annoys me most is the fact that I offered to give them all the money I had in my bank account with the rest to follow in a couple of days.

"Do these people not have families of their own? Even traffic wardens will listen to what you are saying and will give you five minutes before issuing a fine."

The retail park is owned by London-based British Land. No-one from the company was available to comment.

The clampers were employed by Southampton-based Security International Group which failed to return our calls.

One store manager, who declined to be named, said the clampers have affected trade with many of his customers venting their frustration.

He added that there were signs that clampers were in operation on the park.

Kevin Shoesmith