A COUNCILLOR has been caught on camera and by the police parking his Jaguar with a personalised number plate illegally on the pavement outside a new burger bar.

Audley and Queens Park representative Cllr Salim Sidat has apologised for leaving his car on the paved area in front of Frankie’s, the new burger diner in Salford, Blackburn.

His car with the registration number S7DAT was pictured on the evening January 23 along with his son Adam’s Audi, both with police warnings stuck to the windscreen telling them not to repeat the offence.

There has been criticism of lazy parking outside Frankie’s despite the restaurant staff's efforts to stop people leaving their cars on the wide pavement outside with Blackburn with Darwen Council environment boss Jim Smith promising action by enforcement officers.

Labour's Cllr Sidat said: “It was stupid mistake. I am sorry I did it.

“It is embarrassing as I talk about bad parking by others.

“I arrived late for family meal from an event at Little Harwood Mosque and saw my son and other people parked on the pavement and saw a space and assumed it was ok to park there. It was a silly thing to do and I got a police warning notice.

“As soon as we saw the police putting them on people windscreens we moved our cars to places we are allowed to park

“My car was only there for 10 to 15 minutes but I should have know better. I shall not be doing it again."

Council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “I am very disappointed with Salim who should know better. He should not set a bad example.”

Cllr John Slater, leader of the council Tory group, said: “How can councillors criticise others for the sort of things they do themselves? He is not setting a good example to residents of the borough.”

Frankie's managing director Shaheena Patel said: “We are determined to resolve this issue and are doing everything we can including having visible notices around our site and continuously reminding customers to park responsibly in designated areas in accordance with the law.. We would also apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Cllr Sidat has a disabled led blue badge and was given MBE in 2013 for ‘Services to the community and policing in Blackburn, Lancashire’.