A disabled driver has told of her anger after being forced to pay £100 - for breaking down.

Julie Collins, who suffers from chronic pain, was on her way to see an osteopath when her Jaguar XJ6 broke down at the traffic lights in Boundry Road, Hove.

The 33-year-old called the AA for and waited, but an off-duty police community support officer came to help.

Ms Collins said: "He came over and said he would call the police station and I should cancel the AA.

"So I did what he asked and a few minutes later another recovery service arrived and took my car to a nearby garage. But when we got there the driver said he would have to take the car to be impounded because the police had been involved and it was now a police incident. He said I'd have to pay £100 to get it out.

"I couldn't believe my ears - it's ridiculous. All I had done was break down and I was waiting for the AA. I was in tears."

Ms Collins, who is diagnosed with long thorasic palsy, was left with no choice but to agree to her car being taken to the pound in Shoreham.

She again called the AA, who arranged for it to be delivered - back to the same garage it had been in just hours before.

She said: "It was absolutely ridiculous. The police are supposed to be there to help, not end up costing you money. I know the officer was trying to do the right thing but I've had a lot of stress over this and paid out money I simply can't afford. I should have just waited for the AA but when a policeman tells you to do something you take it for granted I suppose."

Ms Collins, a singer of St Leonards Avenue, Hove, was finally offered a refund by the police after the mix up the following day.

She added: "I am delighted that it has all been sorted out but just want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

A police spokeswoman said: "As the AA were going to take some time to attend to the broken down vehicle which was causing an obstruction at a set of traffic lights, it was suggested to the driver that police could arrange for her vehicle to be towed to a nearby garage at her own expense.

"The driver explained that she needed her car for the afternoon so this offer was accepted. When the vehicle was towed, the driver explained that she could not afford the cost of towing. As a result the car was taken to a pound.

"There is an appeals procedure for anyone who feels they have been treated unfairly and the driver has been advised of that procedure. Following our investigations, under the circumstances we are waiving the fee on this occasion."