Parents' fury as traffic wardens 'target' Shrewsbury school sports day

Mums and dads at St George's Primary School, Shrewsbury, said the discovery of a whole row of cars slapped with tickets was a "nasty" surprise as they left what had been a fun event.

But Shropshire Council says the area was not targeted because of the sports day, it was simply the result of a routine traffic enforcement patrol in an area known for parking problems.

The sports day took place from 9.30am to noon on Tuesday, a period when many of the cars were parked in a two-hour-only zone. Steve and Jeanette Butler, whose 10-year-old daughter Francesca goes to the school in Woodfield Road, Copthorne, said even though officially the cars were over the time limit, it was clear it was a special occasion and they would not be there all day.

Mr Butler, 53, said: "My wife's car said 11.54am on it. Well a few minutes earlier and she would have been fine. It's a very cynical approach. I think it must have been obvious there was an event at the school."

Grant Tunnadine, Shropshire Council's investigation and targeted intervention team manager, said: "Despite the school sports day, the parking restrictions were still in force, and parents attending the event should have been aware of this."

No-one at St George's School was available for comment.