A van seemingly left in the same spot for weeks for advertising purposes - and accumulating vast quantities of parking fines - is frustrating shoppers and businesses in Alton.

The vehicle - emblazoned with the name We Want To Buy Your Car and a mobile phone number - was parked in the 30-minute parking zone in Normandy Street for around eight weeks before being moved to the High Street around mid-October.

A member of the public told the Herald: “It is being left in the short-term parking, blocking business premises and customers, with the parking tickets being collected and paid daily, thus enabling this to continue.

“As long as it is taxed and has an MoT test certificate, this is not illegal. This causes restricted parking at a very busy and well used location and is affecting the ability of elderly and disabled customers to use the local parking, let alone affecting businesses.

“I contacted the company. Initially they said they would move the vehicle in question, but it appears they have no intention of moving it or concern for the directly affected businesses or locals.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “Our parking enforcement officers are only able to issue penalty charge notices for vehicles parked illegally, not arrange for them to be towed away.

“We have not yet received any contact from the vehicle's owner but we will continue to monitor the situation and assess any further steps that may be appropriate.

“Any vehicle that appears to be abandoned can be reported to the relevant district authority - in this case East Hampshire - who are able to initiate procedures that could ultimately lead to its removal.”

A similar vehicle was left in a lay-by opposite the BP garage on the A31 in Four Marks.

The Herald asked We Want To Buy Your Car for comment but has not received a response.