Controversial clampers struck in Haworth yesterday, leaving a dozen blind people and a mentally ill man stranded.

The first incident happened when a Keighley Community Transport minibus was put in irons in the Changegate car park, when driver John Fitton jumped out to deliver some leaflets to the newly opened Community Police Station 100 yards away.

The clampers demanded £35 before they would free the bus, which was unable to pick up a group of 12 blind people who were waiting at the Keighley Social Centre for the Blind, in Scott Street. Another KCT bus was sent to collect them.

Then, moments later, the clampers struck again, this time holding hostage the car of a mental health nurse when she arrived late to collect her vehicle after her patient had felt unwell.

Bus driver John Fitton, 71, said: "I didn't know where the place was so I pulled up in the car park.

"I dashed over to the Police Station dropped the leaflets off and dashed back. I was gone for about 30 seconds.

"When I got back he was just about to clamp it. He hadn't even written the ticket. I tried to reason with him but it was no good."

Transport organiser Steve Shorten said: "We were here doing a favour for the police. The driver left it in the car park rather than park on double yellow lines. It is uncharitable. They have no understanding, it's just money grabbing."

Community mental health nurse Linda Braybrook had been walking in the town when her patient began to feel unwell and they had to slow down.

She then had to call for someone to come out to collect the patient while she waited for someone to arrive with some money and the attendant to return to release her car. She said: "I was ten minutes late."

Car park owner Ted Evans said: "The clamper has told me that he saw the minibus parked in the middle of the car park with no ticket. The driver had walked off looking for the Police Station and came back four or five minutes after he had been clamped.

"With the other car, the ticket was between 15 and 20 minutes over time. In fairness, the clamper did not know if anyone was unwell. The number of people who say they get sick as an excuse for being late, we can't believe them all."