PARKING MAD

Protesters break controversial parking meters

- BY ELIZABETH HUNTER

SPELL IT OUT Protesters make their message known on the damaged meters

NEW parking meters in an upmarket seaside town have been hit with £40,000 worth of damage by locals before they are even switched on.

Around 30 out of 40 new machines in affluent North Berwick have been spray painted with “Resist” graffiti, smashed and even covered in glue - before they have collected a penny.

East Lothian Council recently installed the 40 meters in the former royal burgh, 20 miles from Edinburgh.

But because of the damage, the new rules, due to start this week, have been put back to April.

The measures will allow just 45 minutes of free parking in the high street. And drivers will be charged £1 for up to 75 minutes and £2 for up to a maximum of 90 minutes.

Locals say the council ignored a 7000-strong petition calling for them not to be installed.