A FRUSTRATED driver has hit out at a parking system in Taunton Deane which allows motorists to pay to park via their mobile phones.

Rosie Roberts, 20, of Creech St Michael, says she was landed with a fine after parking her Vauxhall Corsa at the Taunton multi-storey car park.

She says although she initially paid for a paper ticket, she decided to stay for longer and purchased additional time using the RingGo system.

Despite paying an additional £1.60, Rosie said she found a ticket when she returned to her car following her shopping trip last month.

She told the County Gazette: “It is a big hassle as I am having to appeal against the ticket and it is taking up a lot of my time.

“I am concerned that this could happen to other people so I want to warn people to be cautious when using the system.”

The RingGo system was introduced to allow shoppers to park their cars without worrying about carrying the correct change.

It is in force across 20 sites in Taunton and a further three in Wellington, including the Orchard Centre car park where Rosie received her fine.

A spokeswoman for Taunton Deane Council said: “In this case, we would encourage Ms Roberts to follow the appeal procedures on her fixed penalty notice.

“This can then be checked with the RingGo records and we can then take the appropriate action.”