An Ipswich shopper was stung with a £25 fine over an "easy mistake" made while paying for town centre parking on the MiPermit app.

Alison Stephenson paid a total of £8.60 for parking at the council-run Cromwell Square car park, accessed via St Nicholas Street, on Thursday (December 14), before realising that she had clicked on the wrong car in the app.

Ms Stephenson found a PCN notice on her car and later challenged it, sending evidence of the two cars registered on the account, and the receipt for parking.

Although the council has now rectified the situation, her challenge was at first not accepted.

Ms Stephenson said: "I had two cars on the MiPermit app, and my car is the default one. We were in my daughter's car. I paid for parking and didn't realise it was for the default car.

Ipswich Star: Ms Stephenson says she wants to warn others of the 'easy mistake' she made.Ms Stephenson says she wants to warn others of the 'easy mistake' she made. (Image: Alison Stephenson)

"I extended the parking as we didn't think we'd be back in time, and we were walking past the car and saw the notice and then I realised immediately what had happened.

"It's such an easy mistake to make. I am fortunate that £25 is an inconvenience to me rather than desperate, but for someone else who makes an innocent mistake it could mean an awful lot.

"I think it is a little unfair as, had I not paid anything at all, I would have received the same fine. I paid all that money for a car I didn't park.

Ipswich Star: The Penalty Charge Notice was issued on Thursday, December 14.The Penalty Charge Notice was issued on Thursday, December 14. (Image: Alison Stephenson)

"I worry about the town centre - footfall is dying, and it doesn't help when things like this happen."

Following the Star investigation, the case was reviewed again and the PCN cancelled, and a council spokesperson said Ms Stephenson will receive a refund.

A spokesperson said: “Where parking has been paid for, but an accidental error like this occurs, customers should appeal the Penalty Charge Notice issued online at www.ipswich.gov.uk/pcn.

“When using MiPermit, it is important to make sure that the car registration is correct for the vehicle you are paying to park, however, we are happy to review any PCN issued if mistakes occur.”