TWO managers from a residential home in Darwen claim they were forced to pay £70 to have their car unclamped despite no warning signs.

Margaret Kay and Susan Duxbury, from St James House, were visiting Springfield Flats, off Bolton Road, to see a potential client when they parked on a lay-by in front of the building.

A large sign proclaims 'Blackburn Borough Council. This lay-by is reserved for residents of and visitors to Springfield Flats'. But when they returned, their vehicle had been clamped and a sign tied to a pole nearby.

They rang the clamping company and explained the sign had not been there when they arrived but were told their car would not be released until they handed over £70.

Margaret said: "One of the residents told me this happened often. We both know there was definitely no sign there when I pulled up because it would have been obvious. The signs are only attached with plastic ties so it seems someone is taking them down during the weekend and when people park on a Monday morning they aren't there.

"We explained we had been to see this gentleman but they weren't interested."

Margaret's area manager Jim Folley, who paid the fee, said: "I was disgusted. They were told to pay £70 or their car would be towed away with a £110 release fee.

"We've been told a local doctor and district nurse have also been clamped. My two staff were in uniform and despite saying they needed to be back at St James House to look after other residents, these two men weren't interested."

However, a National Clamps spokesman said: "After speaking to the clamper involved, we have been assured the signs were there when the clamping took place. The signs were secured by tie wraps, but that is how we always put our signs up."

A council spokesman said their sign no longer applied since the land had changed hands to Twin Valley Homes, who were looking into the matter.