A driver was left red-faced when she narrowly avoided having her car towed after ignoring warnings for almost 30 parking fines.

The woman had racked up a back log of fines to the amount of £1,751 - after failing to pay for the 27 Penalty Charge Notices.

All the tickets had been issued by Folkestone and Hythe District Council between September 13 and March 12, and related to the same car.

In addition to ignoring the fines, the driver had also ignored warning letters sent to her address.

But enough was enough for parking bosses, as they decided to clamp the car last week in Grace Hill.

And a tow truck was on route, when the owner finally decided to pay up.

The council are now warning drivers who persistently flout parking laws and ignore the resulting fines that they are at risk of their vehicles being clamped and towed away.

Andy Blaszkowicz, assistant director for Environment and Corporate Assets at Folkestone and Hythe District Council, said: “The message here is clear - if you don’t pay the penalty, it won’t simply go away.

“In this case, the owner amassed an incredible 27 Penalty Charge Notices, and did not pay or challenge any of them.

“It’s a shame that it took a warrant and the threat of the vehicle being towed away for her to pay up, but we will not hesitate to take enforcement action if necessary in cases like this.”

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