Furious families today claimed they were targeted by parking wardens who gave them tickets while they took their children to a free fun day at Bourne Park in Ipswich.

Up to 20 cars parked on a grass verge leading to the park, near Wherstead Road, were given the tickets for illegally parking, but the owners have said there were no signs to indicate that they were not allowed to stay there.

Scores of people turned out to the event on Wednesday, with most parking in the park’s two designated car parks, but those who fell foul of the wardens were left questioning what they had done wrong.

Ken Markwell whose daughter, Gemma Ripper, of Ipswich, took her two children to the event in Bourne Park, said: “It is the school holidays and it was an event that was free so it was a nice cheap afternoon.

“Then they came out and saw all the tickets and she said that took the smile off her.”

A Star reader, who did not attend the fun day, added: “I’ve just witnessed two parking enforcement vans park up and ticket at least 20 cars belonging to families at the Bourne Park fun day.

“There are no signs saying you can’t park on the grass so what is the council playing at targeting innocent families?”

Officials at the borough council have stressed their parking wardens do not target any groups or visitors and the cars which were ticketed were parked on an access road illegally.

A spokesman for the borough council said: “There are two public car parks in Bourne Park. The motorists who were ticketed were parked in an access road leading to the park.

“We do not target any particular group and our message is simple – if you park legally you won’t get a ticket.”

The spokesman added the car owners have the right to appeal the tickets.