A DISABLED driver was shocked to receive a £30 charge for stopping to drop his family off in a Blackpool car park.

Dave Kindley, of Urmston Street, Leigh, is registered disabled and an orange badge holder.

But he was left stunned when he drove his wife, her sister and his baby grandson to Blackpool for the day. He pulled into the main Lonsdale car park and stopped to let them out, intending to travel home and return to pick them up later in the day.

As the family got out of the car, Mr Kindley says an attendant approached and asked him to buy a ticket. Mr Kindley explained he was not staying, but was repeatedly asked to purchase a ticket.

He said: "I then explained that I hold an orange badge and would be exempt from parking fees even if I was staying."

A spokesman for Blackpool Council said: "There is a 50p drop off charge, which allows drivers 30 minutes to see people on to coaches. This fee is clearly stated on a board. We also grant three hours to disabled drivers -- provided the badge is clearly displayed. Mr Kindley did not do this."

A month after the trip, Mr Kindley received an excess charge notice for £30. The notice stated that: "An Excess Parking Charge of £30 is due from the driver of the vehicle when it was left parked."

Mr Kindley said: "I did not park. I stopped to let my family out. I was there for three minutes at the most, it would never enter my head that I would have to pay for that. But apparently if you stop the car, you have to pay -- maybe they expect you to keep driving and let people jump out!"

The council said Mr Kindley became abusive towards the attendant, who called for assistance.

"I agree words were exchanged," Mr Kindley said. "Tempers were frayed on both sides. The whole situation was so ridiculous."

Mr Kindley has decided he has no option but to pay, as he doesn't want to risk being taken to court.

"I can't believe it -- common sense doesn't seem to rule any more. Rules and regulations have taken over everything else."