TICKETS are now being issued to people caught parking illegally in East Lothian.

Traffic warden replacements have been on the streets since November but have only been able to issue dummy tickets.

However, from today (Monday), the new private parking attendants will appear across the county, including at coastal parks, and will be able to crackdown on illegal parking.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet member for environment, said: “Following Police Scotland’s decision to remove their traffic warden service from East Lothian, we have had a period of a couple of years during which our town centres and local businesses have suffered from the effects of inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous parking. We are delighted to have decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) and have appointed NSL services to enforce the restrictions in streets where a traffic regulation order exists.

“NSL have been undertaking regular patrols for the past couple of months and advising drivers of parking restrictions so hopefully we can begin to see an easing of congestion and troublesome parking.”

Restrictions include parking on yellow lines, as well as time-limited parking bays and disabled parking.

To avoid receiving a £60 penalty charge notice (PCN), drivers should comply with the restrictions indicated by the signs and lines displayed on county street.