Officials said disabled people are being cheated out of spaces

The incidents were two of several in which drivers were caught abusing the blue badge system.

The initiative involving Lothian and Borders Police and Edinburgh Council took place on 24 November.

Three people were charged by police with fraud and a further eight received council warnings.

A 52-year-old Edinburgh man was found using his dead mother's badge on his car, which was parked in George Street.

Our officers were taken aback when they discovered the level of blue badge abuse by motorists, especially the example of the motorist using his dead mother's pass Willie Wills Lothian and Borders Police

A 43-year-old company director was charged after he used a home made badge on his Mercedes when he was parked in Melville Street and a 30-year-old man used a home made badge on his Smart car parked in Hope Street.

In addition, officers came across a further abuse on 27 November when a 49-year-old man was charged after displaying a fake badge in his BMW.

When he was questioned by police it turned out he had bought the badge for �50.

'Blatant fraud'

Ch Insp Willie Wills, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "Our officers were taken aback when they discovered the level of blue badge abuse by motorists, especially the example of the motorist using his dead mother's pass.

"These are acts of blatant fraud and those disabled parking bays are there for people who really need them, not for able-bodied members of the public who can't be bothered to pay for a ticket or endure a five minute walk to the shops.

"We are also aware of research carried out that suggests people willing to commit blue badge offences could be involved in other crimes as well."

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Edinburgh City Council transport leader, said: "We are pleased that this investigation has been a success, the team have done a fantastic job and I congratulate everyone who was involved.

"It is a real shame that some people continue to abuse this system."