An irate traffic officer turned the tables on officials at Ealing Council and called in the bailiffs after it failed to pay back an 'illegal' fine.

PCSO Robert Main has been waiting for his refund since Uxbridge County Court ruled the penalty should not have been enforced back in July.

But the 51-year-old became so frustrated at delays and unreturned phone calls that he began sending debt collectors to the council offices in Uxbridge Road - and is threatening court action.

More used to collecting cash from residents than paying out, the council are holding onto this money, according to Mr Main, who has eight years experience in traffic enforcement.

The fine was £50 but the bill to the council has now reached £115 as Mr Main had to fork out for the court and bailiff costs.

Mr Main, of Williams Road, Southall, said the court bailiffs had visited Parking Services on August 15 and September 10 but had been snubbed.

He said: "They said they're going to continue to try but I can't instruct private bailiffs like the council could if it was the other way around - then the costs would increase each time they were visited."

The row was sparked when he was snapped by an overhead camera while parked on a yellow line in Uxbridge Road, Hanwell. He paid the fine shortly after he stopped there on March 14 but then saw in a council newsletter that the camera should not have been in force until April 1.

Mr Main added: "I can take them to court for an assessment for their means to pay which I plan to do.

"They've treated the court ruling with contempt. I don't know if they're negligent, incompetent or both."

Ealing Council said the cheque was in the post.

A spokeswoman said: "We sent a cheque for the full amount to the court two weeks ago, so Mr Main should receive his payment soon. We are sorry for the delay and for any inconvenience caused."