Mr Silvant found the parking space was too small for his car

John Silvant was fined �50 because his VW Golf's wheels went over the white lines of the bay in Berkeley Mews, near Marble Arch, in central London.

But when he went back to measure the bay he found it was only 162cm wide (63.8 inches) - his car is 175cm wide.

Westminster City Council has since asked for the bay to be extended and agreed to refund the fine.

The bay is actually 178cm wide, but a parking sign inside it has reduced the width by 13cm.

We will be giving Mr Silvant a full refund and have requested that the parking bay in Berkeley Mews be extended as soon as possible Westminster City Council

Mr Silvant said: "They are inviting people to park vehicles in this space when it is patently obvious they cannot find the room. I think that is wrong."

He paid the fine, but when he tried to argue for a refund, he was refused.

But when BBC London spoke to Westminster Council about the case on Monday, it said Mr Silvant could get his money back.

A spokesman said: "We will be giving Mr Silvant a full refund and have requested that the parking bay in Berkeley Mews be extended as soon as possible.

"This bay is only slightly smaller than the usual width and our advice to all drivers is that, if their vehicle does not fit...they should find an alternative place to park."