A CAR clamping company has defended its actions after charging a woman almost £500 for towing her vehicle away from a pub car park.

LBS Enforcement claimed Emma Blomfield, 40, was “an offender, not a victim” when she was caught parking at the Grand Hotel, in Leigh Broadway, while she popped into the neighbouring Mariners Court.

She complained to the Echo about the Leigh-based company’s tactics and especially the £493 she had to fork out to get her car back the next day from a pound in South Hanningfield.

A bailiff for the company, who would only give his name as Mr Stone, said: “The car park is for people using the Grand, not the Mariners.

“This problem has been going on for 18 months and we hear all sorts of stories.

“People shouldn’t be parking on private property and walking off the premises to spend money elsewhere. The woman parked within three feet of a warning sign.”

He said the fee was legitimate and was to cover the cost of the car being removed and stored.

Mr Stone also said he wanted to clarify the fact his company had not driven Ms Blomfield to its pound. She had followed behind in another car, he said.