Two high sheriffs, a crown court judge and coroner David Morris were issued with the tickets at the annual service for the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire at St Paul's Church, Bedford.

High sheriff Colin Mason's blue Rolls Royce was one of a number cars ticketed outside the town's magistrates court.

Police had directed official cars into coned-off public bays.

No decision will be made as to whether or not these parking notices will be cancelled until the circumstances surrounding their issue have been considered

Bedford Borough Council spokesman

But while the officials and their guests were at the service, most of the cones were removed, leaving the cars in a pay and display zone.

As guests lunched at the nearby Swan Hotel a council parking attendant issued them all with �60 notices - �30 if paid in two weeks.

Also among those ticketed were High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Jane Lewin Smith and Judge Geoffrey Breen of Luton Crown Court.

Mr Morris said he was so embarrassed that he has written to the council demanding the tickets are cancelled.

Ticketing reviewed

He said if the council did not sort it out he would go to court.

A spokesman for Mr Mason said he was sure it was a misunderstanding between the police and the parking authority.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesman confirmed that a number of parking tickets had been issued.

"No decision will be made as to whether or not these parking notices will be cancelled until the circumstances surrounding their issue have been considered."