Colchester Council is at the centre of an argument over parking tickets after it “quietly” introduced evening charges at a town centre car park and days later issue 62 fines in just over two hours.

The council introduced a 50p charge for evening customers, and rather than displaying the details in a prominent position to make motorists aware it has sent traffic wardens around to issue as many tickets as possible.

Bingo players visiting the Gala Bingo club on Osborne Street are thought to be amongst the biggest group being hit as well as people taking part in the scripture class nearby.

Helena Gibson, 53, commented: “The entrance should have had a big sign saying there are now evening charges.

“It should be on a big sign for at least four weeks for people to register it and know when it’s going to start.”

Retired local resident Chris Clark plans to appeal against a ticket issued to his wife Joan, 70, as well as many other elderly bingo lovers.

He claimed his wife had played bingo there for 15 years and had been parking for free to date..

Mr Clark, 63, added: “To get a £25 fine for a 50p ticket seems absolutely ludicrous.

“There’s only a piece of paper stuck on the side of the ticket machine.

“You can drive into the car park and walk out and not pass a sign. It’s not fair. It’s not a case of trying to break the law.

“We’re going to appeal and we’ll go to court if necessary because this is totally unfair.”

A council spokeswoman claimed the change to evening and Sunday parking charges were introduced on Monday: “These changes were advertised in local newspapers in December and on site for three weeks by Public Notice.

“Tariff boards were updated with new tariffs last weekend and customers are advised always to check for any changes.

“These changes help to apply charging in a more consistent way without affecting the popular daytime special offers which continue to support trade in the town centre.”

Roger Bacon commented to the local media: “How can you be supporting trade in the town when you are charging for car parking. Any charge for car parking drives people away from town. Now they want to stop people from going to Bingo.

It's like turkeys voting for christmas”