A legal loophole which stopped drivers getting parking tickets in an Oxford street has prompted a complaint from residents.

Philip Guy Davis, of Walton Street, said he could no longer park his vintage Mercedes near his home because bays were always full of cars without permits.

Parking attendants were unable to issue vehicles with tickets after resurfacing work altered road markings.

Mr Davis, who works in the music industry, said when he contacted the county council's parking control service, he was told the street was not being policed.

Mr Davis said the Airport Parking Corporation of America (Apcoa) office, which now runs the controlled parking contract for the council, only told him there was a legal problem after he made repeated calls to their office.

He said: "The unenforceable residents' parking area, between the end of Little Clarendon Street and the lights by Worcester College, came to light when I questioned Apcoa.

"I contacted Apcoa after noticing cars frequently parked in the residents' parking for several days at a time, with neither residents' or visitors' permits displayed.

"After considerable pressure they said they were not able to police this area because of a road-marking legislative problem.

"Residents have paid £40 for permits to enable us to park in this area, and I believe the council should give residents a refund on their permits this year or waive the cost of the permits for next year.

"It's very inconvenient when you come back from the supermarket and can't park anywhere near your house.

"I know lots of other residents in Walton Street are also fed up with the situation and they are delighted that I have raised the matter.

"It is not fair on residents who have been made to pay for parking permits and can no longer park in the bays.

"I don't know if the word has gone round that you won't be ticketed in a bay in Walton Street, but drivers are leaving their cars there illegally for a very long time."

Mr Guy Davis is a well-known figure on the Oxford music scene and launched a regular blues night at The Bullingdon more than two decades ago.

Known in Oxford as the King of the Blues, Mr Davis added: "I've definitely got the parking blues and I want the council to sort this out."

Helen Crozier, the council's parking manager, said: "There was a problem with lining at some of the bays.

"White lines that had been painted over some time ago had partially begun to reappear.

"The law on markings for parking bays is very strict and we cease enforcement the minute there is a problem, even a relatively minor one.

"Work has been undertaken to resolve this and enforcement has recommenced."

Ian Hudspeth, the council's executive member for transport, said: "I would urge drivers not to take any risks. They should park legally and sensibly."