A BUS has been given a parking ticket while it was parked at a town centre bus stop!

Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses have backed down over the incident - even though they insist that the parking attendant was correct to issue the fine.

Bus driver Mark Wiggell had left his number 12 vehicle for just a few minutes, on a temporary stop in Ainsworth Street, Blackburn, when the parking police swooped.

The driver had left the Beardwood and Lammack bus stationary in between runs and returned to find the £30 penalty slapped on his windscreen.

Blackburn with Darwen council has since agreed to waive the penalty, after an appeal by Blackburn Transport management.

Blackburn Transport duty manager John Cowlam said: "We have been using the temporary stop for about a week and there has been a misunderstanding.

"The traffic warden has not realised, because it is a no parking area, that it has been marked out as a temporary stop.

"When we contacted them about it they have cancelled the ticket immediately."

The stop where the number 12 picks up and drops off is also a very popular staging post for taxis and private motorists.

Regular bus user Sheila Threlfall said: "I just cannot believe it about the parking ticket - it's just one thing after another. It's is funny when you think about it."

The stop was initially shifted from Ainsworth Street to Exchange Street, beside the town hall, which was inconvenient for many elderly users.

Petitions were collected by residents in Beardwood and Lammack, and the stop was moved back to Ainsworth Street again.

It is oneof several bus stops relocated as part of the redevelopment works for Lord Square many bus stops have been relocated.

Coun Alan Cottam, the council's executive member for regeneration, "The bus was parked up and unattended and the parking attendant, quite rightly, issued a penalty charge notice.

"However, after discussions with the bus company we have come to an agreement whereby when driver changeover is happening the bus will park up on Exchange Street to avoid congestion on Ainsworth Street.

"Work to dig street trenches is currently being done in Ainsworth Street as part of the £66million town centre revamp. This means relocating bus stops that currently operate from the original stands.

"It's unfortunate that whilst this work is taking place we've experienced some of the worst rainfall for several decades. We can only apologise to the passengers using this service."