A DAD is mounting a legal challenge against parking chiefs after being ticketed with his toddler while collecting change for the meter.

Paul Wade, 46, said he is disgusted with Dorset County Council for slapping a £50 fine on his windscreen while he was queuing for change at High East Street store Autobitz in Dorchester.

The engineering division director claims that it took him five minutes and five seconds to get his two-year-old son Alfie out of his car seat, change his money and return to the car.

A council spokeswoman said that enforcement officers observe a car for five minutes before issuing a penalty charge notice.

Mr Wade said he is ‘disgusted’ with the fine and plans to take the council to court over it.

He added: “It isn’t a speedy process getting a two-year-old out of his seat and walking with him over to the shop.

“Of course, in an ideal world every motorist will always have change but we don’t live in an ideal world, we live in the real world and we don’t want bullying, money-grabbing councils.

“They’re driving businesses and locals away.”

Dorchester resident Mr Wade claims that the enforcement officer who issued him with the fine admitted that she was very quick and he would have a good case for appeal because he had a small child with him. Mr Wade added that he thinks the county council, which operates the on-street parking system in Dorchester town centre, is out of tune with residents.

“I think that it’s not being made easy for people here.

“It makes you feel that if this is the way we treat local people, people who visit Dorchester won’t leave with a good impression.

“The people who want to come and pick up a pint of milk or a paper will just go away and use out of town shops instead.”

A council spokeswoman said the five minutes that enforcement officers observe vehicles for isn’t mandatory and begins when officers start to log information.

She added: “There is a statutory appeals process in place for motorists who wish to challenge a penalty charge notice.

“If it transpires that a ticket has been issued in error, then it will be cancelled.”