A couple hit with a hefty fine for “illegally” leaving their car outside their house claim they were not warned about new parking restrictions in the area.

Simon and Louisa Walters, of Flower Lane, Mill Hill, were fined for failing to display the correct permit on day when a match was taking place at nearby Allianz Park, where Saracens rugby team play.

The couple have lived in the road for 12 years and have always displayed a residents' permit – but were shocked to discover they should have applied for an additional one for match days.

But after a battle lasting nearly three months, Barnet Council today agreed to waive the £110 fine as a “gesture of goodwill”.

Mr Walters, 50, said: “It was ridiculous – almost scandalous. The whole situation was crazy, and made me very angry. It was aggravating.

“Nobody told us we needed to apply for new permits so we had no idea. There are signs outside our house saying no parking on event days – but we didn’t think that was for people who live on the road.

“It’s been such a hassle. They told me the information is on our website and I should have applied for one myself – but I couldn’t find that information online.”

The road is restricted during 11am and 12noon during the week, and clearly states that parking on match days is banned.

However the chartered accountant said it is difficult to know when match days are, as such information is not displayed on the panels.

After they received the ticket on their blue Peugeot in September they appealed to Barnet Council – but it was only after contacting the Times Series that the charge was cancelled.

A statement from Barnet Council said: “Residents living in the event day CPZ are required to display both their resident parking permit and a free event day permit when events are taking place.

“The CPZ was introduced following extensive consultation and all residents were written to, to advise them of the need to apply for an event day permit.

“As a gesture of goodwill in this instance we will cancel the ticket. We will also organise for an event day permit and some event day visitor vouchers to be sent to Mr Walters.”

Mrs Walters said: “We are just over the moon now, we were prepared to take them all the way. We’re so grateful to the Times Series.

“This parking scheme is meant to help residents, but it’s made things very difficult for us because they didn’t make anything clear. We were the ones who ended up suffering.”