City Hall bosses have apologised after a traffic warden slapped a parking ticket on the car of a grieving woman.

As Gail Steward prepared for the funeral of her husband David Tetlow at Haworth parish church, her car, parked in the village’s Main Street, was ticketed.

The fine was given despite a plea by Mrs Steward and a friend, pub landlord Nick Hindle.

Mrs Steward, who runs the business Haworth Organic Products in Main Street, said: “I ran down the street crying – I was so upset. It was bad enough facing the funeral of my husband without getting a ticket.”

She said that later, after contact with Bradford Council, the ticket was rescinded. Her car had been left partially across a double yellow line.

Mr Hindle, landlord of the Fleece in Main Street, said he pleaded with the warden not to give the ticket. He said: “I saw him at the car and realised he was preparing to give a ticket.

“I rushed out and explained to him that it was the owner’s husband’s funeral that day and I would call for her.

“By the time I got back he had put the ticket on. I was infuriated at the insensitivity.

“I took hold of the ticket and threw it on the floor. We exchanged a few heated words – I think the whole thing was unacceptable.”

Paul Ratcliffe, Bradford Council’s parking services manager, said: “We received a complaint from a member of the public about illegal parking in Haworth Main Street.

“We would like to apologise to the bereaved car owner for any distress caused and, given the circumstances, our civil enforcement officer asked for permission to cancel the ticket and this was done at the scene that morning.”