A council worker is launching an appeal against her employers after becoming the victim of traffic wardens.

The urban ranger left her car on yellow lines - and returned to find it had not escaped the attention of Brighton and Hove's eager force of parking attendants.

Despite its clear council markings, a notice had been slapped on the windscreen authorising the car to be towed away.

Passer-by Kevin Brooker spotted the ticketed car in Blatchington Road, Hove, and was amazed a warden had penalised a fellow civil servant.

He said: "When I first saw the car, it had been ticketed. I parked and, while walking past it, I noticed it had been labelled Authorised For Removal.

"In the time it took me to run back to my car and get my camera, the tow truck was there. The driver then returned just before it was removed."

A council spokesman said: "Rangers have a green sticker allowing them to park on yellow lines so she thought she was okay.

"The warden said kerb markings governing loading meant the sticker was not valid.

"Neither the ranger nor her colleagues are aware of this and the ticket will be contested in the same way any member of the public can contest a ticket. It proves wardens operate without fear or favour."