A BOURNEMOUTH motorist has won her money back from a clamping firm – and didn’t even have to step foot into a courtroom.

Kathryn Hay put in her claim against Ultimate and SIG Parking Services online from the comfort of her own living room and said she was “delighted” when a cheque for the clamping fee arrived through her front door.

Her victory comes as new figures reveal a huge rise in the number of clampers in Britain.

It is feared that many are seeking licences before tough new regulations come into force.

The 30-year-old from Westbourne had used Money Claim Online, which is run by Her Majesty’s Court Service and is described as a simple, convenient and secure way of making or responding to a money claim on the internet.

Kathryn had parked her car in a private car parking area in Latimer Road, Winton, opposite Winton Salvation Army, in September 2008, and was shocked to discover she had been clamped and had to pay the £150 release fee.

She said: “I had parked there every Tuesday for months while I taught drama classes for adults with learning disabilities at the Salvation Army.

“Over the summer break it had obviously become a clamping place and I was one of the first people to be caught out there.”

Incensed, Kathryn wrote to the clamping firm asking them to revise what she considered was a “very high” fee, but they declined to change it.

Kathryn thought she had lost her hard-earned money but was told about the website and decided to give it a go.

“I did it all online from the comfort of my own living room. I put in a short case of why I was claiming and how much for. The site then gave the clamping firm 28 days to contest or pay me my money back.

“They didn’t come back to either myself or the small claims court so the court was asked to make a judgement and they did.”

She received her £150 clamping fee back along with the £25 claim cost.

Kathryn claimed the signs were too small.

“I was surprised at how easy it was – I expected them to fight back a bit but they didn’t. The fact is the signs were inadequate.

“I am really, really over the moon and I hope other motorists who were caught out like me will have a go at fighting it too.”

The first motorist to win her claim against Ultimate and SIG Parking Services was pensioner Diane Horsfall, through Poole small claims court.

Alan Collinge won by default after the firm failed to reply to the court within the time period and lost the case.

The clamping firm has since changed the signage at the site.