Clamped!

And he had to pay £95 to get the clamp removed.

Now the site manager of the industrial estate which houses the daycare centre has promised a full investigation and to ensure clampers use discretion and consideration.

As reported in the Evening Advertiser in January, David Taylor, from Stanton Fitzwarren, won his award in a competition run by the Olbas vapour rub company.

He and wife Sue, who are both 44, share their home in The Avenue with Mrs Taylor's 50-year-old sister, Lynn Smith, who has physical and learning difficulties.

Mr Taylor is a full-time carer, while Mrs Taylor works for a train operator.

He said: "I take Lynn to the daycare centre One Step Ahead in the South Marston Industrial Park on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

"I take her at 9am and pick her up at noon.

"On Monday, when I went to pick her up, I couldn't get into the car park because there was a bus for some of the other users there."

Mr Taylor therefore parked outside the centre on the road for less than ten minutes while he went inside to collect his sister-in-law.

On his return, pushing Miss Smith in her wheelchair, he found that his car had been clamped.

Mr Taylor said: "There was a man in a van parked nearby, watching.

"I asked him whether he had clamped my car and he said he had. I explained that I had only been collecting my sister-in-law but he said the only way the clamp would be removed was if I immediately paid £95."

Mr Taylor said the clamper pointed out that there were signs warning against unauthorised parking but he said the closest one could not be seen properly from where he left his car.

Faced with the prospect of having to walk back to his home and retrieve his credit card, he opted to return to the daycare centre and borrow the money.

The site is owned by MEPC, the firm whose assets formerly included Swindon's Brunel Centre.

It is managed by King Sturge, and site manager Peter Scarr said he would be in touch with the clamping firm, a private company employed on behalf of the industrial park's owners, about what happened to Mr Taylor.

He also plans to find out whether a refund is appropriate.

Mr Scarr said clamping was brought in after cars left on the site by irresponsible parkers became a potential hazard to emergency vehicles.

But he said there was scope for discretion by clampers in some cases.

Mr Scarr said: "I will take this up with the company and see what can be done for Mr Taylor.

"The question of signage has also been raised, and that may need to be investigated."

Have you been clamped? Phone the Advertiser newsdesk with your story on 01793 528144.

What law allows clampers to do.

THE law says private companies, organisations and even individuals are entitled to clamp vehicles parked without authorisation on their own land.

They are also entitled to charge to have the clamp removed and to have the vehicle removed and stored if the fee is not paid.

A further fee may be charged for such storage.

Swindon police, in common with colleagues throughout the county, do not use wheelclamps but they have a policy of removing vehicles if they present a current or potential danger.