A motorist who left her car at a Black Country garage for repairs was slapped with a parking fine and hounded by debt collectors after a mechanic drove it to his bank and picked up a ticket. Clare Griffiths was forced to pay out £198.

She paid the amount to get a debt collection agency off her back after the garage worker was given a parking ticket on a pub car park in Kingswinford. But Miss Griffiths today won an apology from the garage and a promise of her money back. A bouquet of flowers has also been dispatched.

Tim Barnes, retail operator for T Wall Garages in Pensnett, said the mechanic in question no longer worked for the firm. He said: “I am ashamed and disappointed that this happened.

“It’s a fair cop and we would have disciplined the technician if he had still been with us – but he has left our employment. I have written a letter of apology to the customer and we will refund their costs. I am also sending her a bouquet of flowers and have created a £100 credit for her to spend at T Wall.”

Miss Griffiths, aged 31, of Beecher Street, Colley Gate, finally paid £198 last Friday because she was upset at being “harassed” by debt collectors.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.