A traffic warden sparked outrage after sticking a parking ticket on a funeral car while mourners were paying their respects to a war hero.

The family of Donald Hunter, who took part in the D-Day landings, were dismayed to discover the fine after the service at St Mildred’s Church in Tenterden high street.

The black limousine was partially parked on zigzag lines behind the hearse - and Ashford Borough Council says its enforcement officers have a legal duty to issue penalty charge notices when traffic laws are broken.

But Mr Hunter’s only surviving son, Ian, told KentOnline he was stunned to see the ticket on the vehicle - in which the grieving family had travelled to the funeral.

“It’s a disgraceful. There was an outcry in the street and I was quite amazed they had done it,” he said.

“It wasn’t the right time for my dad’s legacy there in Tenterden high street to give out a parking ticket.”

Mr Hunter, of Park Farm, Ashford, died on March 18 aged 98.

He was just a teenager when he and his comrades took part in Operation Neptune, the combined Royal and Merchant Navy landing D-Day on June 6, 1944.

Mr Hunter later chronicled the events of that day - including how his convoy came under heavy bombardment from German Naval gun emplacements as it progressed through the Strait of Dover.

His son added: “It was a very moving service for a great man, and I am very proud to be his son.

“It wasn’t right to come out of a military funeral for my father and see a parking ticket for the car. Myself and the rest of the family are not very happy.

“I’m disappointed for my father, who did so much for the country and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

The war veteran’s fundraising efforts include spearheading a campaign for a Merchant Navy memorial statue at Marine Parade on Dover seafront in 2008.

Had Mr Hunter been there to see the ticket, his son says he “would not have been impressed”.

“‘F****** traffic wardens’ is what I can imagine he would say,” he added.

The owners of the limo, TW Fuggle and Son, appealed the charge and it was cancelled.

Funeral director Simon Fuggle said: “We are pleased that common sense has prevailed.

“The issuing of the ticket was very distressing for both the family and us.”

The Reverend Canon Lindsay Hammond, who led the service at St Mildred’s, was also saddened to see the bright yellow ticket on the vehicle.

“'It was disappointing to come out of the church, from a lovely service for someone who had served his country with great distinction, to find that the funeral car had received a penalty notice,” he said.

“I understand that our civil enforcement officers have a difficult job to do, but we also have to accommodate funerals in a far-from-easy location.

“I am grateful to Ashford Borough Council for revoking the penalty notice.”

Also among those paying their respects was Vivian Foster OBE, National President of the Merchant Navy Association

“I was absolutely appalled,” the 78-year-old said.

“I just couldn't believe that anybody could be so insensitive as to do that.

“I literally gasped when I saw it. There were several passers-by and they said, ‘That's dreadful’.”

Ms Foster says the vehicle had to be parked nearby, as the only way to take the coffin into the church was along a gangway between two shops.

“You can't walk down the busy high street with a coffin,” she said.

“We'd had wonderful emotional thanksgiving for the life of a person who had been in the D-Day landings and then further in the war.

“Then, you get a bloody parking ticket on the funeral car. It's just so dreadful - it's beyond words.

“You really ought to have respect for those who have died.”

A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council said: “The vehicle in question had been left unattended, partially on zigzag lines which is a driving offence.

“It is our legal duty to enforce road traffic orders and issue penalty charge notices (PCN) in accordance with the Traffic Management Act.

“We must act fairly and consistently and therefore if any of our enforcement officers witness a contravention then they must issue a PCN.

“On appeal of this PCN, we can confirm that it has been cancelled.

“We appreciate that this must have been a very sad and upsetting time for family and friends attending the service and if our actions have caused any further upset then we are sorry for that.”

In February 2020, Mr Hunter was awarded the prestigious Norwegian King’s Commemorative Gold Medal.

In 2004, the French Embassy presented him with the Légion d’Honneur for his part in the Normandy Landings. This is the highest French military and civilian order of merit.

Mr Hunter married his wife Jean in 1947 and she died in October 2019.

Representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and the Royal Norwegian Naval Attaché attended the funeral.