A DISABLED driver has branded a car parking fine as "cruel" after she tried to appeal and has now seen the bill more than double.

Patricia Faulkner from Una Road, Parkeston said she parked in Clacton's Jackson Road NCP car park on January 15.

The 58-year-old, who has degeneration of the lumber region, was having physiotherapy at the St Helena Hospice building in the same road, and paid for a ticket.

But after her pain clinic session, Patricia said she felt too dizzy and ill to drive and had to get some food and a sugary drink before she felt safe to get behind the wheel.

"I've got lots of health issues," she said.

"I've had a bad back since I was 21 but it didn't stop me working, but I had a fall and it aggravated it.

"I can't work now.

"I also have a fast heart rate, which makes me feel horrible and is controlled by medication now.

"I take 11 different medications in the morning.

"A couple of times after the physio it had made me feel off afterwards.

"I came out that day and felt unwell so stopped for a coffee - I then received a fine saying that I was 10 minutes over."

Patricia said she emailed to appeal the fine, explaining her circumstances, but did not hear back.

She then wrote a letter to NCP at the beginning of March and still heard nothing.

But has now been sent a bill from a debt collector for £160.

She added: "I called NCP and they said they emailed me and offered for me to pay £10.

"But I've been through my emails and there is nothing there.

"I would be happy to pay the £10 - I'm disabled so can't afford more.

"This is cruel.

"I wasn't much over and I did pay to park."

Patricia, who used to work at Colchester Hospital and for the ambulance trust, now has a disability badge and a mobility car.

She said her condition is so bad she has to sleep in her lounge as she can't use the stairs.

**NCP coming back with comment apparently**