A daughter is "fighting back" against an unfair parking charge which has left her mum scared to use a car park in Kidderminster.

Zoë Day said her mum Janet received two parking fines from Premier Parking when attending appointments at Kidderminster Medical Centre. 

The medical centre has introduced a new ANPR system to help prevent "inconsiderate parking" as many patients were left struggling to find a parking space due to non-patients using the car park when going into town. 

This was causing some patients to be late for appointments so the system was introduced to benefit those that use the surgery. 

Despite asking for help to fill in her car registration, 76-year-old Janet received two letters from Premier Parking asking her to pay £60. 

Ms Day said her mum "panicked" and paid the first fine as an unsuccessful appeal would raise the charge to £100. 

She said: "My mum gets quite worried about this sort of thing, so she just panicked when she saw the letter and paid the fine. By the time the second fine came through, we'd heard that a lot of people were having the same problem but the company rejected their appeals. 

"I completely agree with Kidderminster Medical Centre's decision to introduce the ANPR system. Some people abuse the car park to shop in town which isn't fair to patients. It is a good idea but I'm frustrated with the way it's been implemented.

"I'm determined to fight Premier Parking as they shouldn't be allowed to send such strongly worded letters to potentially vulnerable people who haven't done anything wrong."

Ms Day said her mum was unaware of the new parking system until she turned up for her appointment and believes there is some confusion over the length of time patients can park in the car park. 

The 46-year-old added: "My mum isn't on social media and didn't know about the new system until she got to her appointment. There are signs up but they weren't very obvious at the time. 

"I think the centre should have sent a text or an email to patients as many are older and not very tech-savvy.

"I don't disagree with the new system at all as it is the same for other medical centres in the area, but we need to think about why people might be going to the medical centre.

"They could have mental health struggles or be particularly vulnerable so having an unfair parking fine on top of that could cause more anxiety and stress." 

In a Facebook post, which has since been deleted by the medical centre, it stated that fines before October 9 had been automatically cancelled but it did not apply to fines that had already been paid or appealed. 

Ms Day is now trying to get a refund through Premier Parking and said she will continue to fight back against the unfair charge. 

She added: "Hopefully we don't need to worry about the second charge, but I'm trying to get my mum refunded for the first fine she paid. 

"My mum now refuses to park in the car park as she's too scared of being fined again despite being unwell.

"It's such a shame as the new system makes a lot of sense but there's been so much confusion." 

The medical centre has now added more signage to the car park as well as extra Permit Tablet Consoles for easy parking validation.

They can be found at The Pharmacy, Level One (by reception) and Level 2. 

In a social media post, the centre thanked patients for their patience and support. 

Kidderminster Medical Centre and Premier Parking, which operates the ANPR system, did not wish to provide a comment.