FURIOUS drivers are paying the price for “confusing” signs on a Bury car park.

Parking wardens are slapping fines on cars with pay and display tickets — because the tickets have been bought from the wrong machine.

But the confusion on George Street car park, in the town centre, does not stop there. When angry shoppers complain about the “unfair” system some are let off while others are forced to pay.

Pensioner Ken O’Brien said: “It is ridiculous. You try to do the right thing by paying for your parking but you still get fined.”

Drivers are being fined because they are buying pay and display tickets from machines linked to the adjacent Angouleme Retail Park car park, also in George Street.

The private car park is run by Town and City Parking while the Bury Council car park is run by NCP.

The two parties attempted to rectify the problem by placing signs on the private machines, but drivers are still being stung.

Mr O’Brien, aged 71, of Mount Pleasant, Nangreaves, added: “They say they have sorted the problem by putting up more signs but it’s still not clear — it is very unfair.

“How does Bury Council expect to attract people to the town when they treat visitors like this.”

Mr O’Brien appealed against his parking fine and eventually had it cancelled.

He was told in a letter that the charge was quashed due to “an error seen in processing”.

But Karen Walker, who visited Bury on a shopping trip from Chadderton, Oldham, also fell victim to the same mistake.

Mrs Walker, aged 50, appealed against her fine but was told she had to pay the £25 — or risk being charged double.

She said: “It is very confusing. I am now just very angry and upset at the whole experience.

“It has put me off coming to Bury to do any shopping. I appealed but was told that the signs were clear.

“They told me if I didn’t pay the £25 then I would end up owing them £50.“ A spokesman for the council said traffic engineers were drawing up a report examining the whole parking situation at the George Street car park which may lead to more barriers or extra signage being put up.