I am 31 and have lived and worked in Brighton all my life.

I moved to Providence Place about a year and a half ago.

I was aware of the parking charge along Providence Place yet swallowed the 50p-per-hour charge to park outside my home and have always paid and displayed, even if just popping in to get a coat.

Never have I tried to outwit the relentless parking attendants.

One morning, I returned to my vehicle, having clearly displayed two 50p vouchers, only to find a parking ticket flapping away like a congratulations certificate.

Soon, I found myself in the parking office asking: "How could this be"?

A worn-out face behind the understandably shatter-proof glass laughed: "Oh, I guess you're not aware of the increase in charges. "It's not 50p per hour anymore, it's £1.50."

I was supposed to know this by tiny stickers placed high up on the parking signs overnight.

I must have missed all the advertising in the city warning me of these increases.

Naturally, I appealed and, two months and around £70-worth of parking vouchers later, the ticket was waived.

Eventually, I was finally informed I could apply for a residents' permit which was £30 for three months or £80 for twelve. Absolutely perfect.

After purchasing a permit, I relaxed in the knowledge I had paid and displayed.

On my return one lunchtime, like a scene from Groundhog Day, there was another parking ticket staring right at me.

Again, I appealed the decision, making myself and my anger very clear.

Another two months sailed by and this time I was told: "Your residents' permit is only valid 9-10am and 5-6pm."

Why, then, did they offer me a residents' permit in the first place? For the time I need to park there, it is cheaper to buy vouchers.

So the little faith and comfort I had in this city has been finally drained from me.

It doesn't pay to be an honest citizen, nor does it pay to work full-time, not for me at least.

I shall continue to pay my income tax, council tax, road tax, tax on petrol and tax on everything else I need to get by.

Thanks councillors, MPs and parking attendants.

Thanks for nothing. I always knew being honest pays. Yeah right...

-Sean Gates, Brighton