Landspeed record celebration hit by parking tickets

Traffic wardens ticketed vehicles of visitors attending an event commemorating the centenary of the world land speed record, including the King's representative the High Sheriff of Merseyside, and the current owner of the record-breaking car.

As the Sunbeam Tiger was paraded along the same course on Ainsdale Beach in Southport where the record was set in 1926, drivers who had struggled to find parking spaces were receiving tickets.

Southport Liberal Democrats said the parking tickets were an embarrassment to Sefton Council and claimed many tickets have now been rescinded after protests.

The council and the office of the High Sheriff of Merseyside have been contacted for comment.

Posting on Facebook the Lib Dems also criticised the council for charging the organisers for opening the public toilets and for refreshments provided for the mayor and High Sheriff's party.

The party claimed traffic wardens ticketed the organisers' support vans for not parking correctly in the parking bay at the Floral Hall Bay when the event brought more than 100 guests to the Waterfront Hotel.

Ainsdale councillor Lynne Thompson said it showed a lack of class.

"This was a free event that brought people and business to the town and commemorated a significant event in motoring history... in our town," she said.

Thompson said Ainsdale councillors had offered to cover the cost of the mayor's refreshments if the authority's funds were insufficient.

Sir Henry Segrave's speed of 152mph (245km/h) broke the record on 16 March 1926.

It remains the last time it was set by a conventional circuit racing car rather than a vehicle specifically designed to become the fastest in the world.

The original Sunbeam Tiger was driven along the sands by Wing Cdr Andy Green - who holds the current world land speed record - as part of a three-day event.

The Tiger, also known as "Ladybird", remains the smallest-capacity internal combustion-engine car to hold the land speed record.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.