PARKING enforcement officers have come under fire after slapping a ticket on an ambulance vehicle on an emergency call.

The Rapid Response Vehicle(RRV) was parked in Bargates in Christchurch on Tuesday when a Civil Enforcement Officer(CEO) issued a ticket.

The RRV driver, who was treating a patient at the time, returned to his vehicle carrying all his kit as the ticket was being issued.

But he said the enforcement officer continued with the ticket and issued a fine.

The enforcement officer was working on behalf of Dorset County Council which has since cancelled the ticket.

The council tweeted: "Having investigated the incident, this ticket has now been cancelled."

Members of the public then commented on the issue with one asking: "Have these people you employ not got an ounce of common sense?"

Another said: "Emergency vehicles are exempt from certain road traffic laws and this has caused additional work for our already struggling NHS."

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: "The CEO issued the ticket after noticing that the vehicle hadn’t moved for around 30 minutes and was unable to locate the driver. However, when the medic returned it became clear she was on duty, would therefore be exempt and was informed as such by the officer.

"CEOs cannot cancel tickets themselves once issued, but as soon as the full circumstances were established back at the office we were happy to immediately cancel the ticket. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."