DRIVERS in Oxfordshire who appeal against their parking ticket stand a one in three chance of getting it overturned, new figures have revealed.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show that of the 34,594 parking tickets given out by Oxfordshire County Council between January and October 2016, 6,723 were challenged.

The statistics - relating to on-street parking fines - found 2,018 of them we overturned.

Out of the 98 councils who responded to the FOI request, by the Press Association, Oxfordshire was ranked 64th in terms of percentage of tickets overturned.

It found the top three councils to accept the fewest challenges were Runnymede, Staffordshire and Sefton.

Oxfordshire County council spokesman Paul Smith said: “When a challenge is received a decision on each case is made on its merit. Before rejecting a representation we always investigate the case fully and answer the questions raised in a motorists representation.

"If we believe that there are compelling reason to waive the notice then it is cancelled, however should we find that the Penalty Charge Notice is issued correctly it will be enforced.

"The option to make an appeal against our decision to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal is always given in our Notice of Rejection letters.”

Guy Anker, managing editor of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: “We hear so many stories from motorists. Often the real problem is really poor, terrible signing. People are often completely bamboozled, can I park here or not?”

Mr Anker said that after having a challenge rejected by the council, about 50 per cent of drivers who make a further appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal are successful.

He said: “I would encourage everyone who feels they are being harshly treated by their council to make an appeal."