A terminally ill pensioner has hit out at clampers who clamped his car -- even though he showed them a valid disabled permit.

War veteran Ronnie Hollingsworth, 85, who has lung cancer and other disabilities, parked his Nissan Micra in a disabled bay near Lidl supermarket, Churchill Way, Leyland.

When he returned after doing his shopping he found an attendant from National Clamps Preston attaching a clamp to his front offside wheel.

He realised he had simply forgotten to display his disabled badge and attempted to show the officer the permit entitling him to park there.

But the attendant ignored his pleas and proceeded to issue him with an £80 penalty to release his car.

Ronnie said: "I was upset and humiliated by the whole experience. I have terminal lung cancer and other disabilities. I told the man this but he would not listen, even though I had simply been forgetful. I may not have long left, but I have enough fight to warn people about this. It is money for old rope. I felt like I was living in a police state."

Ronnie was then asked for £80 to release his car.

"I was distressed by this time because I didn't have the cash to pay. There was no way I could have walked to a cash point because I suffer from shortage of breath."

On the ticket issued to Ronnie, the blunt message read: 'Sympathy is not a mitigating circumstance' in bold letters.

In March 2005 the widower who lives in Greenside, Euxton, was given four months to live by his doctors but has defied his illness and continues to value his independence.

He now plans to appeal against the fine.

"I'm living on a small pension and I begrudge them taking this money from me. To me it's almost inhumane of a company to say that they will never show any sympathy," he added.

National Clamps Preston were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.