Tesco is piloting a scheme to stop customers parking in its disabled or parent and child spaces

The scheme, as reported by The BBC's Stephen Nolan Show, is operating at stores across Northern Ireland and sees those misusing the spaces recorded by staff using a special mobile monitoring device.

The vehicle's owner then receives a £40 fine.

Tesco said it makes no money from the scheme which is aimed at ensuring those in need of the spaces can use them.

The retail giant said the project had a positive impact in those stores where it was tried - with customers even reacting to signage about the initiative - and it was due to be rolled out to another 200 shops.

Cat Parkinson, car parking operations executive with Tesco said: "This makes parking at Tesco fairer for everyone. We want to change attitudes towards the misuse of disabled bays by highlighting the importance of disabled bays being used properly.

"I hope the scheme will help our disabled customers shop with ease in our stores.

"We'll continue to look at ways to prevent misuse of these essential spaces for our disabled customers. Disabled parking is an important part of the customer experience that is sometimes overlooked. I'm trying to change that. I'm delighted that the scheme is already making a difference for our disabled customers."

A Tesco spokesman added: "Many of our disabled customers rely on our disabled parking bays, so we’ve introduced our self-monitoring initiative to highlight the importance of using the bays properly, making it fairer and easier for everyone to find a parking space in Tesco.”

Belfast Telegraph