Motorists driving in the congestion zone face a �5 daily fine

A businessman is to launch an appeal after receiving two tickets for driving in London's congestion zone when he claims he was hundreds of miles away in north Wales.

Andy Clarke, from Gwaenysgor near Prestatyn in Flintshire, has received two tickets, each fining him �80.

If he does not pay within 17 days the fine will increase to �120.

Mr Clarke, 37, has reported the incident to the DVLA and the Metropolitan Police.

The �5-a-day charge, which came into effect on 17 February, has reduced traffic in central London by about 15%.

It was introduced in an attempt to cut traffic levels and help ease severely clogged roads.

Police informed

The scheme which is run by Transport for London will also raise money to re-invest in the capital's transport system

Mr Clarke said he would be launching an appeal.

"It was funny to start with. We'd been to London the previous week by train and we'd been looking to see where the cameras are," he said.

I'm not paying the fine, it's up to them to prove it's my vehicle Andy Clarke

"My car didn't leave my drive on the days I was supposed to be in London.

"We've appealed against both fines but we've been told we've got to pay the fine and then appeal to get our money back.

"I have phone and email records to prove I was at home.

"I'm not paying the fine. It's up to them to prove it's my vehicle."

A spokesman for Transport for London said they would not comment on individual cases but said it could be either an administrative error or a cloned number plate on another car.

He said there had been a handful of similar cases which had been passed to the Metropolitan Police.

He promised to investigate further if Mr Clarke got in touch.