Motorists are getting away with Parking on double-yellow lines despite blocking the fire exit of a public ice rink because the road markings have faded.

It has angered Roy Scott, the owner of Sussex Ice Rink in Queen's Square, Brighton, who said he has to cancel skating sessions after drivers leave the building in breach of safety regulations.

Parking attendants will not issue tickets because the double-yellow lines there are not clearly visible, making penalty charges legally unenforceable.

Mr Scott said: "Cars see the space and park right up against the doors. It's a recurring problem, especially at weekends.

"There is so little parking in town and people realise they can get away with parking here.

"This situation started a few years ago and we just ignored it but then were advised we were breaking the law and our insurance was not valid if the doors were blocked.

"We have to inform everyone on the ice immediately if cars are blocking the exits and if a session has not yet started it has to be cancelled.

"Several times we have had to call people off the ice and then, of course, we have to deal with the demands for refunds.

"We are trying to negotiate with the council and the parking attendants. It seems like this is the only area of Brighton where they will not issue tickets which is infuriating."

The double-yellow lines stop about six feet from the walls of the ice rink and people are parking in the available space.

There had been a question over the ownership of the land but it has now been recognised as part of the public highway and Brighton and Hove City Council has accepted responsibility for the lines there.

A council spokeswoman said: "At the moment, tickets cannot be issued because the lines clearly need repainting and we feel it would be unreasonable to give tickets until they are clearly marked.

"Now we have established ownership of the land, we will be resurfacing that part of the road, hopefully within the next week, and we will then repaint the double-yellow lines."