SIR,

I write to warn fellow shoppers of my experience of Waitrose's new parking arrangements from now until 6th January 2013.

My wife and I shopped in Waitrose at 9.30am on Wednesday morning, and left an hour later. I returned again at 3pm after a trip to Ross to a nursing home. I was horrified to find a £50 parking ticket on my car.

I asked the new attendant what was going on and he told me he had noted my registration number in the morning and assumed that the car had been there all day.

He told me to speak to the store manager. She acknowledged the dispute and destroyed the parking ticket but informed me that I would have to pay next time this occurred.

I explained that I live in Monmouth and can call more than once a day if the need arose. I was told not to take the same car.

Therefore, you must walk or have more than one car to shop twice a day (I suppose if you shop three times then three cars), or use another car park at your own inconvenience.

I told the duty manager this was a silly idea but she informed me that those were the rules.

So beware, you Christmas shoppers. Unless you are a two-car family, make sure you don't forget something and have to return.

David Forbes

(Monmouth)