AN MP on a private visit to Taunton is among several people left confused as they tried to pay for a parking ticket in a town centre car park.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, who represents the neighbouring Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency, parked up in The Crescent car park only to find he was unable to buy a ticket.

"I went to pay at the machine only to come across a queue of about eight people at the machine, which was covered up," said Mr Liddell-Grainger.

"It had the wording 'Machine out of use'.

"The people in the queue told me they were trying to pay but couldn't.

"I phoned the number on the board beside the machine and was told, 'I'm not allowed to tell you this, but you can stay for three hours without paying because the machine isn't working'.

"That's simply ridiculous. The people in the queue were law abiding citizens quite willing to pay. There was nothing to tell them they could park for three hours without paying.

"These people were quite put out just standing around wondering what was going on.

"This is one of the main car parks in the town and incidents like this do nothing to encourage people to come into the town."

We have approached Somerset Council for a comment.