A driver has blasted Manchester City Council for being "faithless" after he was issued a parking fine while attending a church service.

David Addison, of Blackburn, travelled to Manchester to attend the Sunday service at St Ann's Church in the city centre.

The 50-year-old parked directly outside the church on St Ann's Street on Sunday, June 9, after being told by another church friend it was possible to do so.

David popped into the nearby McDonald's to use the toilet and was shocked to find a parking ticket on his vehicle when he returned at 10.43am.

Parking wardens explained to David he needed a permit to park outside the church and said there were signs displaying parking information.

David moved the car out of the way and managed to catch the last 15 minutes of Sunday Mass.

After receiving the ticket David, a cleaner, wrote to appeal the £35 fine explaining he was attending church.

However, the council replied tickets are issued to those who do not display church permits.

He has submitted another appeal decision to the council, but said he faces having to pay up soon or the fine increases in price.

David said he had made a special trip to Manchester to attend a service at St Ann's Church for the first time.

He told the M.E.N: "I popped into the toilets at McDonald's before the service then saw there was a parking ticket on my car.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"I was given a ticket for going to church, I had parked my car right in front of the church."

He added: "I appealed to the council. They said the signs are adequate and said we are not going to let you off.

"I replied to the letter. I called them a faithless council, which they are.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"I have to pay £35 in the next 14 days. They are very robotic in their responses.

"I didn't park to go shopping, it was right outside the church. They were wrong to give it to someone parked outside a church."

A Manchester City Council spokesman said: "The parking bay Mr Addison used is not intended for general use, but is reserved for vehicles which require essential access for events at the church - for example, hearses which are attending funerals, or bridal cars.



"Permits allowing the use of these bays are issued by the church at their discretion, however, Mr Addison was not displaying such a permit and was ticketed.



"We have advised Mr Addison of his right to appeal and are awaiting further contact from him at this stage."