A PARKING company have been branded 'Scrooge' for hounding pensioners for cash for when their pay equipment was faulty.

Drivers who sopped at car park in Largs town centre behind M&Co have been told that they will not be reimbursed for their fines, despite the machine there being unable to take their cash.

A number of local drivers were unable to pay at the facility on the weekend of November 5 and 6, and appealed the company's decision to fine them £100.

Jack Herron is one who is refusing to stump up - and believes that the parking company UKPA are in the wrong to be forcefully pursuing people.

The parking company responded to those appealing the fine by saying all appeals have been 'considered and rejected'.

A letter sent to drivers said: "Whilst we appreciate the nature of your visit. A valid payment must be made to validate the parking at this car park.

"For the date in question, the payment system shows no valid payment allocated to this vehicle. If you were unable to make a payment in the machine, there is alternative payment method provided for users of the car park which is the pay by web option."

The parking company then offer the customers the opportunity to pay or to appeal the matter to an Independent Appeals Service.

Jack, 77, of Seaton Terrace in Skelmorlie, told the News he won't hand over a penny.

He said: "There are around five women on the same day who couldn't pay and the instruction was to pay via a QR Code but I don't know how to do that - and even people who were there couldn't access it via their mobile phones.

"I have been parking at the car park for years using the pay and display and there was never a problem until it was recently taken over."

The local grandfather, pictured, who is a retired marine engineer, said: "I wonder how many times the pay machine has been out of action and the number of fines that have been issued?

"The parking company are attempting to profiteer on the back of their equipment being faulty.

"When I was there it had fault that meant it would only accept the first letter of the registration number and as such it is impossible to enter the full one even if you could pay.

"The ANPR camera was of course working and successfully recorded the entry and departure times.

"So the vehicle was parked for approximately one hour and 20 minutes and according to the tariff I should be charged £3 and that is what I have offered the parking company."

Largs man Jim Boyd also contacted the News to say he was fined on the same weekend. 

Councillor Tom Marshall told the News he believes the parking company should bin the fines.

He added: "I see the company have put in new machinery, so why it that when they say the last one was operating just fine?

"The drivers should independently appeal it because is is very unfair and there was certainly a problem. The fact that they have put in a new machine vindicates that.

"It is very mean-spirited, especially at Christmas. Any people who have been unfairly fined can contact me I will happily take up their case."

UKPA were approached for comment but again failed to respond.