PARKING in Huntingdonshire has become pricey for motorists who fail to buy tickets. Failing to pay for the privilege cost 16 free parkers £165 each in fines, compensation to Huntingdonshire District Council and court costs. Three motorists, who overstay

PARKING in Huntingdonshire has become pricey for motorists who fail to buy tickets.

Failing to pay for the privilege cost 16 "free" parkers £165 each in fines, compensation to Huntingdonshire District Council and court costs. Three motorists, who overstayed their welcome after their tickets had run out, each added a further £135 to the tally at Huntingdonshire Magistrates' Court last week.

In total, the court bagged £3,045 from the 19 illegal parkers, all of whom were convicted in their absence. A further 18 offenders settled their £40 excess charges at the "door of the court", escaping the contribution to prosecution costs. This brought the total haul to £3,765 from the half-hour court hearing.

Vicki Stevens, prosecuting for HDC, said that people who got tickets could pay the £20 excess charge within seven days. The cost went up to £40 if the penalty was paid within four weeks though, in practice, it would be accepted until a week before court summonses were issued.

The offences took place in car parks and on-street spaces in Sainsbury's, Great Northern Street, Ingram Street, Trinity Place, High Street and Princes Street, Huntingdon, Cattle Market, Market Hill, Darwoods Pond and Globe Place, St Ives, and Waitrose and Market Square, St Neots.