A WOMAN has refused to pay a parking fine she got while buying goods for an ill friend.

Diana Northcoat, of New Road, Sands, said she will give money to charity but will not pay Wycombe District Council the fine owed for parking in Sainsbury's car park, High Wycombe, on March 6.

She said: "I have sent them a letter saying I will pay £30 for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and £30 for John Radcliffe Leukaemia Research, but I won't give them the money. I like to go to Sainsbury's but I don't think we should have to pay."

Diana was on her way to visit a friend who has cancer, in Hammersmith Hospital, when she stopped at the store to buy her some flowers and juice.

She added: "I only needed to pop in there for two minutes. Why should I pay to go in there when the other stores have parking for free?"

A council spokesman said: "The lady's circumstances are terribly sad, but not wanting to sound unsympathetic, our policy applies to everyone without discrimination or exception. Sainsburys also reimburse their customers for the cost of the parking tickets when customers spend over a certain amount, and we understand that Mrs Northcoat could have been reimbursed on this occasion. We will consider an appeal from the lady, but do require appeals be made in writing to the council."