Jade Electrical shop owner Adrian Symonds and a member of staff were clamped in the Woolpack car park in December 2007 - even though both had the right to use the spaces.

Clamping firm Parking Control Management ordered Mr Symonds to pay £125 to have each car released and told him he would have to write for a refund.

But even after he had done this the company still refused to pay back the money - so Mr Symonds took them to court.

He won back his £250 from the Berkshire-based firm on June 19 - but was furious about the time and effort wasted.

He said: "Justice has been served, which is right, but I am frustrated it has taken such a long time."

"Six months was a lot of wasted time.There was no explanation, or anything else."

Despite repeated attempts the Courier was unable to obtain a response from Parking Control Management. A statement on the firm's website reads: "We are committed to providing a caring, hassle-free solution for all our clients' needs".