Shoppers hit with backdated fines after parking over the 90-minute limit on Eastgate Retail Park are being told to ignore them by the council.

Dozens of drivers were left outraged after the free parking limit was cut from three hours to 90 minutes.

The Observer exclusively reported last week how letting agents Aston Rose agreed to quash all tickets handed out between June 2 and July 8 and restore the original time limit.

They also apologised for causing any inconvenience and have reverted back to the original parking rules.

However it is believed that some motorists who contacted Excel Parking, which manages the car park have still been told they need to pay the fines.

Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard said the council has been assured by Aston Rose that people fined between those dates do not need to pay and she added: "If you have got a fine between those dates then ignore them. However we would like to emphasise that they are enforcing the three hour limit so any people going over that after July 8 will have to pay the fine."

The council said they will discuss the ongoing fines issue with Aston Rose and also see if it is possible to refund the fines which have already been paid.

No one from Aston Rose was available for comment and a spokesperson for Excel Parking said their directors are currently dealing with the issue. The fines were for £60 rising to £100 if they were not paid within a certain period.