No penalty charges were given out in June. Instead dozens of dummy tickets were issued during the first few weeks. The council adopted a softer approach to allow drivers to get used to on-street restrictions being enforced.

In total 57 tickets have been issued since the beginning of July in Oakham and Uppingham.

Council leader Roger Begy said: "We have said from the outset that parking enforcement in Rutland is about making sure that our town centres are as accessible as possible for local people and visitors.

"We're not trying to catch people out and make as much money as possible. It's a commonsense approach which has been supported by many people who think it's made a really positive difference to the town centres."

Under the old system a parking offence was a breach of criminal law enforced by police.

But with the new system enforcement of parking tickets, known as penalty charge notices, become a civil debt.