A CLAIM by a parking attendant that he was unable to issue tickets during torrential rain earlier this month has been dismissed by bosses.

A member of the public who alerted a parking attendant to illegal parking in Haddington town centre was told by the attendant that he could not issue any tickets as his mobile electronic ticket machine “did not work in the rain”. The rather frustrated attendant could do little more than look on as vehicles parked where they liked.

East Lothian Council, however, said it was not aware of any problems with the ticket machines or any noticeable drop in the number of fines issued during bad weather.

And NSL, which operates the parking wardens on behalf of the local authority, insisted there was no truth to the suggestion the machines did not work in the rain.

A spokesman for NSL said: “We have not had any reports of rain affecting the ticket machines or any downfall in penalty notices issued.”

The council introduced private parking attendants in January.

A council spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any problem regarding the recent heavy rainfall and the issuing of penalty charge notices. There has not been any significant change in the number recently issued.”

Since introducing the private parking attendants, the number of penalty charge notices issued has been 3,368, with 1,079 issued in May alone.

The council estimates the value of the notices issued at £120,210 to date.