Gwyneth Chapell and daughter Natasha, 31, who suffers from arthritis, did their weekly shop in Morrisons on Queens Road on June 10, spending £60 on groceries and having lunch in the store's cafe.

They returned home and thought nothing of it.

A month later on July 10, they received a parking ticket through the post at their Clarence Road, St Leonards home, for £50 - stating that they had overstayed the two hour parking limit.

The parking charge had been increased from £30 because they had not paid it within 30 days - but they were only sent the initial ticket a month after the incident.

Mrs Chapell's husband Leonard does not dispute that they may have been there over two hours, as they did have lunch there, and Natasha has limited mobility, but he said the family are "valued customers" as the store's parking notices state, regularly doing their weekly shop there.

Mr Chapell, 64, said: "There was nothing on the car windscreen. When it came through the post it was a real shock. I don't need £50 bills like that. My wife is a nurse and is the main earner, as I'm retired.

"I think it's disgusting, giving a ticket like this, out of the blue.

"This car park is for valued customers, which we are. We've gone there every week since Tesco closed."

Euro Car Parks key account manager for Morrisons, Alan Frith, said: "The ticket has been rescinded.

"We issue parking charge notices at the time, unless someone has taken it off Mrs Chapell's windscreen.

"The reason why the limit is in place is because historically retailers suffer from parking abuse from people who park and then go to work or into town.

"Issuing tickets is not a money-making exercise, it is a genuine deterrent.

"In future there is two things Mrs Chappell can do, either speak to the store manager and ask for a special pass, or have a chat with the on-site parking officer and explain the situation."