THE 87-year-old husband of a former mayor, who suffered a heart attack as he walked to a civic service, regained consciousness three days later to be told he had received a parking ticket.

Fred Curtis said: “It’s bureaucracy gone mad; my daughter contacted Bournemouth council to explain that I was in intensive care.

“But they said they wanted proof from the hospital or my doctor before they would cancel the £25 penalty charge.

“It’s not the money but the principle that’s at stake here.

“In the meantime I’ve received a letter from the council wishing me a speedy recovery and a get well soon card from the mayor and his wife.”

For more than three decades Fred, who lives in Surrey Road, Bournemouth, accompanied his wife Jeanne on civic engagements while she served as a local councillor and later as alderman, an honorary role she held until her sudden death last June.

Fred doesn’t even remember parking his green Ford Ka in the council-owned Pavilion car park on Westover Road on May 29.

But he was later told that he had left a note on the windscreen informing parking attendants that he was at the civic service at St Peter’s church.

The outraged grandfather said: “Councillors don’t pay for parking on council property. When Jeanne was an alderman special arrangements were always made for us to park during civic engagements.

“Had it not been for two police officers who resuscitated me in the street I would have died that day.”

In a letter to council boss Pam Donnellan, Cllr Ron Whittaker said: “I trust that immediate action will now be taken and a letter sent with a full apology to both Fred and his daughter.”

After the Daily Echo took up Fred’s case yesterday the council got in touch to discuss his “mitigating circumstances” and the penalty charge notice was cancelled.

Elaine Smith, office manager for parking services, said in a statement: “As with any penalty charge notice appeal we would advise that the person writes to us with details of their mitigating circumstances and any supporting evidence and we will fully consider their appeal before making any decision.”

Fred said: “Thankfully, common sense has prevailed.”