THE number of company car drivers fined for parking illegally has surged by almost a third during the past year, according to ALD Automotive.

Fines for parking at sites such as supermarkets and doctors’ surgeries are averaging 15 a month.

Drivers are allowed to park on private sites for a set period but once expired the car park attendant can note the vehicle registration number and trace the owner.

Nigel Fletcher, deputy managing director at ALD Automotive, said: ‘The fines vary in scale but can be up to £85 if paid within seven days, rising to about £140 thereafter.’

Last year, ALD Automotive handled 13,335 fines, up from 10,268 in 2004. These included congestion charges, speeding and bus lane fines.