A couple visiting Gravesend from America were hit with a fine because their disabled parking badge was from outside the EU.

Ronnie Thomas, 74, and wife Christine, 72, made the trip from Maryland last month to stay with Christine’s sister Eileen Perks in Singlewell Road.

On April 30 they were issued with a parking ticket to the tune of £35 after a parking warden from Gravesham council saw their car in the town’s Lord Street car park.

Mrs Perks, 74, immediately appealed but it was not until a Gravesend Messenger inquiry this week that the council decided to change its mind.

“I was very cross about what happened because they had a perfectly good disabled blue badge. What a way to welcome visitors to the town,” said Mrs Perks.

“I know there is a law that says the badge has to be from the UK or EU but that is not the point, they have got room for discretion and common sense. Shame on you, Gravesham council.”

Although the fine will now be reimbursed, Mrs Perks said the issue had put a downer on what had otherwise been an enjoyable visit for the couple.

They arrived on April 24 for a three-week stay, heading back to the States on May 17.

“Both of them spent a lot of money in Gravesend — not Bluewater or London — and were in the town almost every day,” said Mrs Perks.

“I was very cross about what happened because they had a perfectly good disabled blue badge. What a way to welcome visitors to the town." Eileen Perks.

“It made it very difficult for my brother-in-law who has been very ill recently with heart trouble. My sister was having to drop him in town and then come back and pick him up.

“They assure me that this would not have happened in the US. There are disabled people in places other than the UK and the EU, after all.”

While UK blue badges are accepted in many countries outside Europe, visitors to the UK from outside the EU are not entitled to any parking concessions.

However, the Citizens Advice Bureau advises that foreign badges can be recognised by local authorities and a spokesman for Gravesham council admitted the decision to issue the fine was wrong.

They said: "The disabled parking permit was issued outside the EU and, as such, is not valid in this country.

"Therefore, the enforcement officer correctly issued the ticket and the appeal was turned down by strict adherence to the letter of the regulations.

"However, having reviewed this case, it has been decided to be lenient and to refund the payment for the fine.

"We welcome visitors from everywhere but particularly the United States in this year leading up to the Pocahontas 400 anniversary.

"Each case will be reviewed on its merits and we are considering reviewing the overseas disabled badge schemes."