A DRIVER is furious she had to fork out more than £500 to get her car back from clampers.

Paula Barrell, parked on land off Websters Way, Rayleigh, just before 10pm on Friday and when she returned the next day, found her car had been towed away.

When she contacted parking firm LBS Enforcement, she was asked for £545 before it would release the car, or even say where it was.

There is a large council car park next to the site where Miss Barrell parked. Parking there is free on Saturdays and after 7pm on weekdays.

Miss Barrell, of Warwick Drive, Rochford, said: “I wasn’t aware I couldn’t park where I did.

“There are signs and I am not disputing I was wrong to park there, but I think the fine was too much.

“On the sign, it says if you park there, you will be charged £245 plus VAT. I was charged £545.

“My car was towed during the day on Saturday.

“I rang on Saturday evening to try to get it back but was told the office was closed. I asked how much the fine would be and the man I spoke to wouldn’t tell me.

“He just said it would be very expensive.”

A spokesman for LBS Enforcement, who refused to give his name, said: “She was parked there for more than 24 hours. There are signs up and she was parked in an allocated bay, not in a public car park.

“I don’t think those charges are excessive. She was only charged one day’s storage.

“The car was there until Sunday morning, so I should have charged her another day’s storage.

“It costs that much because we have to pay for the tow truck, among other things.”

He itemised Miss Barrell’s bill as £125 to have a clamp removed, £245 to tow it away and £50 for storage, plus VAT.

Rayleigh MP Mark Francois said: “I have heard reports in the past few weeks of a new car clamping company operating in Rayleigh who appear to be using rather heavy-handed tactics.

“I have not yet had a complaint from one of my constituents but if I do, I will follow it up.”