A MOTORIST staged a one-man demonstration outside a supermarket yesterday to protest about a parking fine.

Leslie Rowe is furious about a £90 fine he received after parking at the Co-op, in Queen's Road, Richmond.

He claims a covenant placed on the site means local residents can park for free in the car park.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras were recently installed at the entrance to the car park,

Signs have also been put up warning drivers that they face being fined if they stay beyond the two-hour free parking limit.

Mr Rowe, from Brompton-on-Swale, received a letter yesterday from Civil Enforcement Ltd saying that the cameras had recorded his car staying longer than the two-hours on February 10.

The letter says Mr Rowe must pay £90, reduced to £45 if he pays within 14 days.

To see the evidence, he must pay £17.50.

Mr Rowe said: "When the Co-op bought the old grammar school playing fields, the agreement was that they would provide parking for the people of Richmondshire.

"I think what they are now doing is wrong."

Mr Rowe said that even if there was no covenant on the site, he should not have received a ticket.

"I parked twice in the car park on the day in question, each for just a short time while I dropped my children off at the Georgian Theatre and did some shopping at the Co-op, then picked them up again on the same day for only a short period each time."

In response, a Co-operative Group spokesman said: "Co-op customers are entitled to two hours' free parking at our store in Queen's Road, Richmond.

"We contracted Civil Enforcement to enforce the parking regulations following complaints from customers that they could not find a parking space when visiting the store.

"We are pleased that, as a result of the recent enforcement, our customers are now able to park their cars when visiting the store.

"However, if anyone feels they have been fined unfairly, Civil Enforcement will investigate their case."

Town councillor Russell Lord said last night he was aware of an agreement about parking on the Co-op site and would investigate further.