AN independent expert believes parking fines issued to motorists in Bury could be invalid, regardless of whether the driver was in the wrong.

Parking consultant John Squires believes the penalty charge notices (PCN) issued to drivers who over-stay their time could be declared void if challenged by motorists.

Mr Squires, who runs the website www. parkingticket.co.uk, claims that Bury Council's parking tickets do not comply with legislation and could be declared invalid by an adjudicator on appeal.

He said: "This would appear to leave Bury Council open to having their tickets challenged, regardless of the circumstances of individual tickets having been issued."

Bury Council said it may seek to change the wording on the tickets, but stressed the notices issued were "based on guidance issued by the Home Office".

Mr Squires believes the tickets are technically invalid following a successful appeal by a motorist in Wandsworth. According to Mr Squires, who has worked in local government and has more than 25 years experience of traffic management and parking issues, the PCN wording invalidates the tickets because they put they fine the driver of the vehicle on the day the ticket was issued, whereas the person legally liable for payment is the actual owner.

Mr Squires said that nonsensical wording on the PCNs, could also have the fine overturned.

Tickets issued by wardens read: "If we do not receive your payment after 28 days from the date of this notice."

"How long after 28 days, a year perhaps?" said Mr Squires. "Surely the charge should be paid 'before' not 'after' 28 days. It is technicalities that have resulted in big cases being thrown out."

A spokesman for Bury Council said: "If the notice is causing confusion by the use of the word 'after' rather than 'within' we will seek to change the wording at the next reprint. The notice is also being checked by our plain English expert to ensure its clarity."