MOTORISTS in Chard had more than double the amount of parking tickets slapped on their windscreens compared to drivers in Ilminster in the last two years, the News can reveal.

Since Somerset County Council became responsible for on-street parking in June 2012, there have been 1,737 tickets issued in Chard, while in Ilminster, officers dished out 670.

Hotspots in Chard include Fore Street and Holyrood Street, which notice the largest percentage of penalty charge notices.

Motorists are also often caught flouting the law on High Street, Combe Street and Boden Street.

In Ilminster, East Street and Silver Street have continued to be the most ticketed routes, with motorists also finding themselves caught out on West Street, North Street, Wharf Lane and Winterhay Lane.

The News asked Somerset County Council to reveal how many parking tickets had been issued in Chard and Ilminster, and which streets received the top five most parking tickets in both towns.

Cllr Linda Vijeh, who represents Ilminster on Somerset County Council, said: “Their cavalier attitude towards motorists is unacceptable. This is not just a local issue, this level of inconsistency is rife.”

Here is a breakdown of how many tickets have been issued:

CHARD: Between June 11, 2012 and December 31, 2012 – 598; between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013 – 896; between January 1, 2014, and May 31, 2014 – 243.

ILMINSTER: Between June 11, 2012 and December 31, 2012 - 175; between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013 – 345; between January 1, 2014, and May 31, 2014 - 150