If the machine shows German writing, the car park is full

Drivers using a Birmingham city centre car park have had their language skills tested by a ticket dispenser which operates in German.

The machine gives instructions in English until the multi-storey Brunel Street car park becomes full - then it switches to German.

The council blamed a change in software in December, when the city was hosting its Frankfurt Christmas Market.

"Maybe the machine got confused," a council spokesman said.

Brum Eye

The council hopes to have the problem rectified by next week.

In the meantime a notice has been put up and staff are on hand to translate.

One motorist, looking at the notice on the machine, said: "It is quite funny, but I don't understand how that can happen."

A few years earlier, visitors to the city's big wheel, dubbed the Brum Eye, were confused to find themselves listening to French commentary describing Paris.