DEAR EDITOR - I write to complain about the operation of Midlands Parking Contracts in Bromsgrove.

Last month I parked at the rear of Shoe Express to deposit money at the HSBC Bank next door and was clamped within five minutes of my arrival.

I resent the fact that the area I was parked in was not clearly marked as a private car park - neither at the entrance nor immediately in the area I was clamped. The two notices were in possibly the least conspicuous locations - one on the rear of the building over twenty metres away, the other on a wall half way up the car park and unnoticeable in the location I parked. Theses signs are only 610 x 455mm in size and there is no notice above the marked car parking bays.

Furthermore the conduct of the operative (1706A) was less than professional. When I returned to the car at 2.55pm and telephoned him, he returned to my vehicle and refused to accept a guaranteed cheque payment suggesting I went back to the bank and obtained cash. Clearly he had watched me park and my destination! He would not give me details of the company, nor did he offer any identification.

I agreed to fetch the cash which took no more than three minutes. He was not present on my return and when I telephoned him his phone gave a pre-recorded message. He eventually returned about fifteen minutes later - no doubt retribution for asking civil questions.

In my opinion this set up is designed purely to catch out innocent motorists and produce extortionate revenue. It is not about preventative measures or car parking control. I have written to the company to request a full refund and written evidence of their authority to operate on this piece of land.

I am also now aware that this company has been the subject of many complaints and adverse publicity in the local press over the last eighteen months or so.

The landlords of this piece of land should be identified and made to justify their reasons for allowing this practice to continue. No doubt it produces a steady income for them but does nothing to enhance the business of Bromsgrove trade.

Peter G Evans,

Worcester Road,

Kidderminster.

- There have been many letters and callers to our offices complaining about this company, and we have featured a number of stories on such problems over the past couple of years. Unfortunately this company appears to be able to act with impunity. To avoid falling foul of their operatives the advice we would offer to anyone visiting Bromsgrove by car is to park in official pay and display car parks only.