Sidmouth had some of lowest number of parking tickets issued compared to other similar-sized towns in Devon.

Figures on the fines issued during the last six months, between April and October 2020, reveal the number of tickets given in Devon had fallen by 40 per cent compared to 2019.

A total of 241 tickets have been issues in Sidmouth in the last six months. Broken down the figures are:

April: 6

June: 51

August: 54

October: 49

It is believed the fall in the number of Penalty Charge Notices issued by traffic wardens in Devon was down to the lockdown.

The figures were discussed in last week's Devon County Council corporate infrastructure and regulatory service scrutiny committee.

Every month from April to October has seen significantly fewer tickets issued this year, with only 10 per cent of 2019's number issued in April and 30 per cent in May.

On-street parking enforcement on most roads in the county was suspended following the coronavirus outbreak in March, although motorists were still be banned from parking on double yellow lines and key routes.

In peripheral or some residential areas, enforcement action was not taken until it resumed on May 25.

During the six months, a total of 26,290 parking fines have been dished out, compared to 43,691 for the same period in 2019.

Exeter has seen the most fines issues, totalling 10,944, followed by Exmouth with 2,153, Newton Abbot with 1,640 and Teignmouth with 1,342 the other areas over 1,000.

At the other end of the scale, Berrynabor, Bradninch, Brixton, Broadclyst, Chillington, Dartington, Fremington, Frithlestock, Georgeham, Halberton, Harberton, Heathfield, Hope Cove, Ipplepen, Liverton, Longcombe, Marlborough, Newton Poppleford, Ogwell, Otterton, Plympton, Roundswell, Sampford Peverell, Slapton, South Milton, South Zeal, Teigngrace, Thurlestone, Uffculme and Widecombe-in-the-Moor have yet to see a single ticket issued.

TOP TEN AREAS:

1 – Exeter – 10,944

2 – Exmouth – 2,153

3 – Newton Abbot – 1,640

4 – Teignmouth – 1,342

5 – Dartmouth – 825

6 – Totnes – 809

7 – Barnstaple – 769

8 – Kingsbridge – 593

9 – Salcombe – 557