A COUPLE claim they were issued a parking ticket by an overzealous traffic warden for pulling in to allow oncoming traffic to pass outside a school.

Jaime and Robert Brown said they felt victimised by the Tendring Council wardens they claim are targeting schools in the area to catch motorists.

In the latest incident, outside Burrsville Community Infant School, in Craigfield Avenue, Clacton, Mr Brown said he had pulled into a gap covered by zig-zags as there was not enough room for traffic to pass in both directions.

He said he then saw a warden across the street taking a picture. The warden told Mr Brown she would issue a ticket, despite the car not being parked.

He added: “The road was gridlocked, so people were pulling in to let traffic through.

“I did the same thing, and the next thing I know the warden’s starting to give me a ticket.”

Mr Brown said he was waiting to see if the penalty notice had actually been issued, but said even if it wasn’t he felt the warden’s behaviour had been unacceptable.

The couple say they are to lodge an official complaint with Tendring Council over the wardens, and plan to start a petition with parents at Burrsville Infants to tackle what they claim is unfair targeting.

Mrs Brown said: “At the end of the day it makes you so stressed.

“We feel as though we are being targeted personally.”

Police said a civil enforcement officer reported a dispute with the male driver of a BMW following the incident.

The officer said she had been threatened but not harmed, and did not want to pursue a formal complaint.

Tendring Council was not available for comment.