AN ALTON resident is warning drivers to beware of parking at a Selborne beauty spot – as she is facing a £160 charge for parking without a ticket because she couldn’t get a phone signal to pay for one and there was not an option to pay cash.

Caitlin Robinson had met two friends in the car park, run by PCL at Gilbert White’s House but also used by many to access The National Trust's Selborne Common estate, and had attempted to buy a ticket.

She said: “I had my cash and cards as well as my phone and watch both set up with Apple Pay.

“To my amazement, the parking machines didn’t accept any of these. There were only the options of phoning the number provided, paying through their website, or via their app.”

But neither Ms Robinson nor her friends could get a phone signal. They tried and failed to download the app, access the website and phone the number.

Ms Robinson appealed against the fine but says she was told she should have “sought alternative parking elsewhere”. She is taking her case to the parking charge appeals service POPLA.

* The National Trust has asked the Herald to make it clear the car park is question belongs to Gilbert White’s House Museum, and the £160 fine was not imposed by the trust.