A restaurant has started wheel clamping cars left in its car park by Swindon Town football fans while they watch home games.

And some of the fans who have been caught are hopping mad about it and vowing never to use the restaurant again.

The row broke out after Town played Stoke City at the County Ground last Saturday.

After the final whistle, some home supporters found their cars clamped when they returned to the Burger King restaurant in Queens Drive and had to pay £85 to get them freed.

They were angry because they said signs warning about clamping only went up the day before the game and that they were difficult to see.

But the restaurant has said it has no option but to clamp cars left on what is a private car park.

Long-time Swindon fan Robert Preston and his wife have been travelling to games from their Swansea home for the past 11 years.

As was their normal routine last Saturday they had a pre-match meal at the Burger King at a cost of around £10.

"On this occasion due to the very bad weather we encountered on the journey we decided to leave the car in the parking area at the restaurant," said Robert.

"We did not see any signs warning of wheel clamping.

"Upon returning to the car and finding that it had been wheel clamped along with four or five other supporters' vehicles it became obvious that the attitude of the wheel clampers was not going to soften and you either had to pay or have your car towed away."

His anger increased when he found out the warning signs were only put up the day before. He said they were not well displayed.

"I can fully understand Burger King's position, but at the very least they could have placed warning notices on the cars in the first instance or handed out a notice with the takeaway meals."

He claims the clamping was clear discrimination against football supporters and says he will now have to miss three home games to recover the amount paid out in a fine.

Assistant manager at the Burger King restaurant Maria Harris said the company had no option but to clamp vehicles that were being left in the car park because it was hitting business.

"There are plenty of notices on show which were put up because we have been losing potential customers because of people leaving their cars here while they go to football matches," said Miss Harris.

"I am really sorry it has inconvenienced anyone but this is a private car park and not one for the football."

Customers are allowed to park for up to an hour she said.

but some drivers were leaving their vehicles there for two or three hours she said.