An elderly blue badge holder is warning others not to get caught out by parking fines.

Fay Douglas-Smith, 85, was hit by a £30 penalty notice for parking with her permit displayed incorrectly, with the photograph to the front.

"It was so petty," said the great-grandmother of six, who lives on Church Road in Clacton.

"There was nothing wrong with the way I was parked - maybe the warden didn't like my picture!

"I am going to contest the fine because of the stupidity of it."

She added: "I want to tell other badge holders to be careful."

Mrs Douglas-Smith, who walks with a stick due to diabetes-related problems, says it is the first time she has had a ticket in 50 years of driving.

Tendring Council's communications manager, Nigel Brown, said the correct way to display the badge was with the non-photo side facing outwards, as wardens can then see the relevant serial number and expiry date.

Badges will also soon include the words "display this side" to avoid further confusion, he said.

"The council does consider representations and challenges to tickets, and exercises discretion when it is fair and reasonable to do so," he added.