BURY'S on-street parking policy left me perplexed last week when I was landed with a £30 fine for exceeding the permitted time.

I was only 10 minutes late and I think the policy for on street parking is plain daft.

We came to Bury to do our weekly shop after making a conscious effort to support local traders and our town centre, parking on Castle Street and walking in.

This we thought was better than queuing up for the multi storey. We struggled back, laden with bags only to find a keen NCP officer had got there first.

Why is it that you can park in the town centre car parks for unlimited times for a fixed fee - but further out it costs more?

We now wonder whether it is worth the effort to shop in the town centre. After all, supermarket parking is free.

ANGELA DAVIES Whitefield