Shoppers have said they will never use Blackwater Retail Park after the outbreak of a parking nightmare.

Blackwater Retail Park in The Causeway, Maldon has seen dozens of drivers receive parking tickets for what they believe to be illegitimate reasons.

Last week The Standard reported the parking provider apologised to residents for a 'glitch' that has resulted in a number of penalty notices.

The penalty notices are £60 but rise to £100 if drivers do not pay up with 14 days.

Kerry Ashcroft, of Pedlars Chase, Danbury, was among the aggrieved shoppers.

She received a penalty notice on March 19.

Mrs Ashcroft was visiting Home Bargains to buy supplies for her mother, when the notice claimed she had parked on a "private road".

She said: "I shall not be using the retail park again for fear of another fine.

"I shouldn't have bothered in the first place as Maldon is a beautiful town with wonderful shops that I hope will not be affected be these big-name shops."

Maldon resident Richard Farmer said he would boycott the retail park if the issue is not resolved.

He said: "I am a regular shopper there and this has really put me off shopping there again.

"This caused me a great deal of anxiety and frustration and I feel penalised for doing absolutely nothing wrong."

ParkingEye, which runs the parking scheme, has apologised to residents affected for the "mistake" and said all who have received incorrect notices will be notified.