Nick Knowles angry over parking fines issued at Christmas market

DIY SOS television programme presenter Nick Knowles has vented his anger after drivers were handed parking fines during Cirencester’s Christmas market event.

The town council held a two-day festive celebration at the weekend, with the Christmas lights switchon happening on Saturday.

Mr Knowles, who lives near Cirencester, has posted a picture on Twitter of a penalty charge notice on a car windscreen that had been issued by Gloucestershire County Council.

He said, in the tweet: “Congrats Cirencester & Gloucester cnclls. You hold an Xmas fayre to get shoppers into town & when they do & car parks are full you ticket everyone parked on a single yellow on a Sunday, whole rows of them!

“Hell of a way to support local businesses by driving people away.”

Cllr Joe Harris, who represents

Cirencester on the county council and is also the leader of Cotswold District Council, tweeted: “No one is being penalised for visiting the town – parking is free in all Cirencester car parks on Sundays. This is a ticket for breaking an onstreet parking regulation such as yellow lines, no return within 1 hour etc.”

Gloucestershire County Council has been approached for comment.