POLICE had to be called after parking tickets were issued to people supporting a charity fundraiser in Torquay on Saturday night.

The police say they received reports from a private parking firm to say a parking attendant was at the car park of Torquay Recreation Ground on the seafront and was not being allowed to leave.

Officers attended, but said no action was needed after the parking attendant was later allowed to go safely on his way.

The charity event had been organised by the Torquay Athletic Rugby Club to raise money for their junior section.

About 70 people had attended the event, which included a barbecue, but the night ended with drama after it was discovered tickets were being issued in the car park just before 10pm and some people questioned the parking attendant.

The car park has a pay and display meter which is installed by the cricket club and operates in the summer.

A police spokesman said: "It was an issue over parking tickets. We had reports that 15 people were refusing to let a parking attendant leave.

"It appears we were called by the parking attendant's supervisors who he had called to say a large group of people were surrounding him and refusing to let him leave.

"No arrests were made."

Ian Brierley, coach of the rugby club's under 13s team, had helped organise the event. He was one of three people who received parking tickets.

He said: "This guy just turned up in his van at 9.40pm and started ticketing all the cars.

"We were just in the field and it was obvious the cars belonged to us.

"We went to ask him why he hadn't come to speak to us and he called the police.

"When the officers came they said he hadn't used his common sense.

"Members of the rugby club do not need parking tickets, especially when they have been invited along to support a charity fundraiser and have paid money out for tickets to attend that."

It is understood the other two people to receive tickets were from Torquay and Bovey Tracey. The parking fines are £50 and go up to £100 if not paid within a specific time.

Mr Brierley said he would be appealing against his ticket.

Nobody from Premier Park, the company which operates the pay and display system, was available for comment.