City council chiefs have apologised for a parking blunder which left people unable to get out of their cars.

Some were forced to crawl through their car boots because new parking bays were too narrow.

They were left trapped inside their vehicles because they were unable to open the doors and get out if other cars were parked alongside them.

Brighton and Hove City Council at first insisted there was nothing wrong with the bays which they said met stringent European guidelines.

But they were forced to make an embarrassing U-turn after they sent inspectors to measure the permit-holder bays in Tisbury Road, Hove.

They were forced to admit the bays had been painted at the wrong angle and were too narrow. Contractors were ordered to repaint them at the correct angle at no extra cost.

Now council bosses have written to Tisbury Road Residents Association (TRRA) apologising for the blunder.

Linda Baker, TRRA secretary, said: "The bays have now been repainted and the council has apologised.

"We have also had a letter from local councillor Simon Battle who said the bays were too narrow, much to the embarrassment of everybody concerned, including himself."

Tim Meredith, parking scheme project manager, said: "Despite being advised by our consultants that the parking spaces were laid as designed, checks revealed they were incorrectly angled."