TORY MP Peter Luff has called for a crackdown on "cowboy" wheelclampers who break industry guidelines.

The Mid-Worcestershire MP called for action after highlighting a series of "horror stories" in the Commons.

He told fellow MPs one of his own constituents was charged £270 to have his son's car released - only to find it had been damaged. The man has asked to remain anonymous.

Mr Luff said the vehicle was parked by a hotel in Birmingham while the son dropped off a case.

The car was parked illegally, but the warning signs were not clearly visible.

When the driver returned to the car 15 minutes later, it had been towed away.

When he telephoned the number left behind by the clampers, an answering machine stated the office was closed until 9am the next day.

Mr Luff told MPs the family called the following morning and were told it would cost £240 to get the car back -- but when three men turned up to return it they refused to reveal who they were.

They refused to provide an invoice and drove away with the car again -- saying the release fee had now gone up to £270.

The family handed over £270 before discovering the car had suffered damage to its bumper.

Mr Luff said the case demonstrated how guidelines laid down by the British Parking Association were not being followed.

They state staff should be uniformed and carry photo-identity cards and that release fees should not exceed £58 outside London.

Mr Luff wants a ceiling on charges and a formal complaints procedure laid down in law.

He has called for them to be included in the Private Security Industry Bill, which is going through Parliament at the moment.

Mr Luff went on to highlight a number of horror stories nationally -- including a hearse with a body in the back which was clamped outside a church.

He added: "There are real cowboys in the clamping industry."