PARKING fines issued during the Remembrance Sunday service in Cirencester could be dismissed by the county council.

This comes after traffic wardens were criticised for handing out parking tickets to drivers, some of which were given to elderly war veterans.

Cirencester town councillor Roly Hughes has hit out at the council, and traffic wardens, after he noticed many cars receiving fines during the service.

The event was held outside the parish church and, due to how busy it was, some cars had parked on yellow lines.

But Cllr Hughes said it was still unacceptable for wardens to be putting tickets on these cars during the service.

Gloucestershire County Council has now said that those who received parking fines on the day can lodge an appeal, and all challenges will be treated sympathetically.

“It hurt me to see so many traffic wardens out in force, putting tickets on parked cars,” said Cllr Hughes. “Could they not see a lot of old veterans attended this service, and could not walk far due to many reasons of disability?”

He said he saw elderly veterans getting into their cars, which had tickets stuck under the windshield.

“When walking across Ashcroft Gardens an elderly gent went to get into his car and did not realise he had a ticket stuck to his windscreen,” Cllr Hughes said. “The poor chap was nearly in tears. He must have been a veteran as well due to the medals on his coat.”

He added: “We have got to remember, it was a service of remembrance for the 100 year anniversary of the First World War, and many attended to give thanks to the fallen.

“I am totally outraged over the whole thing, and charges should be dropped.”

Parking manager at the county council, Jim Daniels, said he was aware that some people found it difficult to find a parking space during the service in Cirencester because attendance was so high.

“As a result some drivers parked on nearby double yellow lines, which is illegal, and they received a parking ticket,” he said.

“Because we know how important it was for people to be able to attend the service, people who received a ticket for this reason can lodge an appeal.”

He went on to say that, as long as the vehicle was not parked dangerously, all challenges to tickets issued on the day will be viewed "sympathetically".

Do you think it was fair to issue fines to people who parked on yellow lines on Remembrance Sunday? Have your say in the comment section below.