A new mother was hit with a £70 fine after she stayed in an Asda car park to breastfeed her newborn.

Rosie Hayes, 34, fed five-week-old Ella in the passenger seat of her car after completing her shopping at the supermarket in Brighton, East Sussex.

As a result, the new mother overstayed the maximum three hour free parking limited by just 26 minutes.

Rosie Hayes, 34, was hit with a £70 fine after she stayed in the Asda car park in Brighton, east Sussex to breastfeed her daughter, Ella

Ms Hayes had completed her shopping at the Asda store when she stopped to breastfeed her daughter

Ms Hayes was issued with a £70 fine by Smart Parking, who manage the supermarket's car park.

'By the time we had finished Ella was getting hungry so I looked around Asda and the surrounding area for a suitable place to breastfeed her,' said Ms Hayes of Brighton.

'As I was not able to find anywhere I took her to the car and fed her in the passenger seat.

'I was aware my car had been parked for about three hours but I could not leave without feeding my baby as she was only a few weeks old and very hungry by this point.'

On issuing the fine, the parking firm told Ms Hayes they had photographic evidence of her in her car.

She appealed the fine, but bosses refused to cancel the ticket.

'I explained they should be able to clearly see me feeding my baby in the passenger seat and it should be a valid reason for parking over the maximum stay time, said Ms Hayes.

'Smart parking replied to say the parking charge is being upheld and I must pay the £70 fine.

'I couldn't believe it.

'I thought that if I explained the situation they would be fine about it. But they have refused to overturn it.

'As a loyal Asda customer, I am very upset and disappointed by the policy. I also think it goes against the spirit of Brighton which is usually so family-friendly.'

Smart Parking later agreed to revoke the ticket as a gesture of goodwill.

Ms Hayes said she was 'upset' and 'disappointed' after being slapped with the £70 parking ticket

Ms Hayes overstayed the maximum three hour free parking limit by just 26 minutes. Pictured: The car park

A spokesman said: 'The car park at the marina is very busy, so is only available for Asda customers who receive 3 hours of free parking.

'At the car park there are 24 signs that clearly highlight its terms and conditions of use.