IN JULY, my wife and I visited the Bournemouth area and on one day, we went to Solent Beach.

Despite several attempts, we were unable to operate the ticket machine.

I looked around the cars parked. None was displaying a ticket. It seemed reasonable to suppose that the machine was out of order.

When we returned from the beach, our car was in a row of five. Four of them had been issued with parking fines. The one not fined was not displaying a ticket. Surely this was conclusive evidence that the machine as not working?

The following day, having been elsewhere, we called in on Solent Beach. Again, the meter was not working. I appealed, citing the evidence and was informed that I would hear, within a timeframe, if my appeal had been upheld.

Long after the final date, I received an email saying that the meter had been working and the fine would be upheld.

I assume that this decision was based upon one of three possible opinions. Firstly, my wife and I lacked the intelligence to follow the instructions.

Secondly, we, and the three others fined, were dishonestly trying to avoid paying the parking charge.

Thirdly, in claiming that the machine was not working, I was lying. Needless to say, I resent strongly, all of these alternatives.

The email had the temerity to advise me on how to avoid future fines. Frankly, I would offer better advice to anyone thinking of planning a visit to Bournemouth.

Go somewhere else, preferably a resort where your intelligence and integrity will not be challenged by the local council.

DR STEPHEN SHAW

Newthorpe, Nottingham