A POSTMAN trying to do his job in Southend was issued with a parking ticket by a traffic warden.

The furious worker was caught after he stopped in Queen’s Road to pick up mail from the nearby Post Office in the High Street.

Former postman Eamonn McCormack, of Southchurch Road, spotted the incident unfolding and took a picture.

A flabbergasted Mr McCormack, aged 45, said: “It was ridiculous.

“If it had happened to me I would have gone mad.

“This guy was just trying to do his job by getting letters from the Post Office.

“Then he picks up a parking ticket.

“I spoke to the driver and he said it was happening to postmen all over Southend.

“Surely common sense should prevail in situations like this?”

Southend Council said Royal Mail vans which are on business should not be ticketed.

However, exceptions could be made. Andrew Meddle, the council’s head of planning and transport, said: “We can confirm a ticket was issued to a Post Office van in Queen's Road.

“This was because the vehicle was parked on double yellow lines with double kerb ticks.

“These are specific kerb markings at junctions, and at other points, where all vehicles are forbidden to stop because it is dangerous for other road users.’’ Mr Meddle added: “If anyone wishes to dispute a fixed penalty notice, they should follow the statutory procedures given with the ticket.”

Royal Mail said it would look into the incident.

Spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “Our staff are advised to park vehicles responsibly to minimise the disruption to other road users and pedestrians when they are undertaking collection and delivery duties.

“However, we are planning on speaking to our team in Southend to find out if any other problems have been occurring.”