An over officious traffic warden has been slammed on social media after slapping a parking ticket on a fire engine.

It was parked outside Kings Leisure Centre in Moat Road, East Grinstead, on double yellow lines because the crew thought as an emergency service they were entitled to park there. But only police vehicles are entitled to do so unless it is an emergency.

The on-duty crew were using facilities at the gym as East Grinstead Fire Station’s fitness area is undergoing renovation.

The warden issued the ticket as he mistakenly thought the crew were off-duty.

East Grinstead Fire Station posted on their Facebook page: “We understand and appreciate everyone has a job to do and that’s how our society works. We will always respect this but always challenge professionally when needed.

“At the time our immediate response crew were using fitness facilities in the leisure centre as our facility is undertaking maintenance.

“They believed they were parked appropriately and were still able to be on the appliance within 47 seconds for an emergency.”

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) spokesman said: “The duty crew from East Grinstead Fire Station were at a local leisure centre using their gym facilities as the facilities at the fire station are under renovation.”

The pictures of the fire engine, which were taken by Dean Price, went viral on Facebook and outraged many social media users who defended the fire crew.

Mid Sussex District Council and WSFRS have now resolved the issue and the fine was withdrawn yesterday.

The fire crew thanked the council for revoking the ticket, writing on Facebook: “Just a quick update on the parking ticket incident. With thanks to Councillor Liz Bennett fighting our corner and promoting the work of the emergency services, the parking ticket has been rescinded.

“Thank you for your hard work and support. It’s fantastic to have people like you working within our Council. Our trust is in you.”

Councillor Gary Marsh, the district council’s cabinet member for service delivery, said: “On Friday May 4 one of our civil enforcement officers was patrolling the area of Little King Street in East Grinstead and identified that a fire engine was parked in a bay designated for Police vehicles only.

“A PCN was issued. However, since then it has come to our notice that the fire crew were on official duty, with the police aware of their use of the bay. We have notified the fire service that the ticket will be withdrawn.”