It is something even a miniature toy Postman Pat almost failed to deliver – parking on what is thought to be Ipswich’s smallest-ever double yellow line.

Ipswich Star: The short double yellow lines on Boston Road in Ipswich.The short double yellow lines on Boston Road in Ipswich.

Bungling Anglian Water contractors painted the markings, which measure just 30 inches (76cm), on Boston Road when connecting a new property to a water supply.

Les Howard, who lives nearby on Woodbridge Road and spotted the comical error at the weekend, said a stretch of double yellow lines which used to run down that section of Boston Road was removed a year ago following traffic concerns.

“It is a bit of a weird one,” Mr Howard, 68, said.

“You could get fined if there was a particularly over-zealous traffic warden! I hope it is removed soon.”

Ipswich Star: Les Howard with the short double yellow lines on Boston Road in ipswich.Les Howard with the short double yellow lines on Boston Road in ipswich.

Drivers could be fined £70 if they somehow manage to park on the lines. It is thought the botched job took place around a month ago.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “Anglian Water undertook work to connect the new property with water and dug the trench.

“When they re-filled the trench, they also added these yellow lines in error.”

We took our toy Postman Pat and his van along to demonstrate just how big (or little) the error is.

An Anglian Water spokesman said: “It looks like the (contractors) erred on the side of caution. We will get the extra line burned off as soon as possible. We are sorry for any confusion.”

A residents’ parking zone in Cambridge is thought to contain the shortest-ever double yellow lines in Britain – measuring 13 inches (33cm).