For Lincolnshire drivers who have had a parking ticket slapped on their windscreen recently, things may not be as bad as they seem.

New figures released by the police show almost one in 10 parking tickets issued by officers are later cancelled.

From having a legitimate excuse for parking, to an officer making a mistake when he hands out the ticket – seeing a notice on the windscreen is not always the end of the matter.

Every year hundreds of tickets are effectively ripped up, either in the days after they are produced or when the facts are investigated in court.

Innocent mistakes on the part of police officers play a role.

Motorists who have parked illegally because of a breakdown or a medical emergency are also a contributor.

Keith Peat, Lincolnshire spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said: "If you think you have done nothing wrong, the best thing to do is write to the address on the ticket."

Last year, a total of 909 tickets were cancelled after being put on a windscreen – eight per cent of the 11,274 issued by Lincolnshire Police.

For more about tickets, see Saturday's Echo.