SCORES of motorists have been fined for overstaying in Morrisons car park in Taunton - even though the cameras that caught them didn't have permission.

Euro Car Parks, which operates the parking on behalf of the store, has now submitted a planning application for two four-metre high columns with Automatic Number Plate recognition cameras at the Dellers Wharf site.

It is also applying for permission for 37 non-illuminated signs for the site.

The cameras and signs have been in position for months - check out story from last October.

No decision has yet been taken by Taunton Deane Borough Council as to whether or not it will grant retrospective planning permission.

A Morrisons spokesman said at the time that planning consent had not been sought for the cameras and signs due to "an administrative oversight".

But anyone fined for overstayiong the two-hour free parking limit is unlikely to be let off, according to a legal expert.

County Gazette lawyer Simon Westrop said people parking on the site enter into a contract with Morrisons and Euro Car Parks.

He added: "It seems unlikely to me that the lack of planning permission can be something that invalidates the contract. But that might be a matter for the courts.

"It doesn't seem to me that either Morrisons or Euro Car Parks has acted unlawfully in any way except that they seem to accept they have failed to obtain planning permission.

"I don't think lack of planning permission would prevent Morrisons' use of evidence from the CCTV cameras, but again its admissibility must be a matter for the courts."