WHEN motorist Philip Langsdale left his car in Highbury he made sure it was parked legally with not a yellow line in sight.

WHEN motorist Philip Langsdale left his car in Highbury he made sure it was parked legally with not a yellow line in sight.

But when he returned a yellow line had been painted up to the back wheel, another 12-inch dash of paint daubed underneath the car - and a ticket slapped on the windscreen.

Mr Langsdale, 51, a mature student who was given the ticket outside his home in Highbury Place, said: "It was completely legal yesterday but they came along and painted underneath! When I saw it my first reaction was disbelief, then anger. They have gone bonkers - it is absolutely mad."

Councillor Lucy Watt executive member for environment, Islington Council said: "I am frankly astonished. It is not council policy to paint lines under stationary vehicles. I have asked officers to investigate how it came to happen and we will be contacting Mr Langsdale immediately to cancel the tickets and apologise.