PATRICIA HEIGHWAY, of Dittisham, writes:

I have just paid £25 for my contravention of being parked longer than permitted.

I must say that I am very aggrieved by this penalty, having arrived just five minutes late. I had been to the hairdressers in Lower Street, Dartmouth, and on passing the Co-operative store decided to buy some groceries, which I would normally have purchased in Sainsbury's on my way home but thought it would be good for the town to spend some money there.

I confronted the officer as he was walking away from my car and I said to him 'but I am only five minutes late.' 'Correct', he said, 'the computer doesn't lie.'

Well, all I can say is how sad this is, that South Hams Council employ such draconian people to collect further revenue for their coffers. I shall only venture now into Dartmouth when it is absolutely essential.