A man who was on holiday in Cornwall said it was a “sad day for tourism” after he was fined for parking somewhere which he later found out was no longer a parking space.

Dan Down, from Wiltshire, said there were no signs warning motorists a number of spaces in Cornwall Council-owned Cawsand car park were no longer in use despite lined boxes still visible.

The council recently relined spaces in the 139-space car park on the Rame Peninsula but did not reinstate about seven spaces.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Anyone in this position [of being fined] is encouraged to follow the representation process outlined on the back of their notice.”

Mr Down, who has been visiting Cawsand for more than 20 years, returned on holiday and parked in one of the redundant parking spaces on Sunday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

He said he returned to find a £50 fixed penalty notice on his car, which would be reduced to £25 if he paid within 14 days.

He said: “It’s a sad day for tourism in Cawsand when council parking wardens hand out tickets for not parking in a parking space.

“Clearly I was along with many others.

“There were six or seven other people who parked in similar spaces in the car park who all said if you turn up and see what looks like a parking space with white lines, it’s a parking space.”

He said he had appealed the fine.

Kate Ewert, Cornwall Council Labour councillor for the area, said she was aware the car park had been relined.

“It’s causing some confusion,” she said, adding she suspected those affected would have a good chance of having their fines overturned.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “Several parking bays were intentionally not reinstated to ensure that vehicles can move freely around the site.

“We are aware that some of the older markings may still be visible – although they are faded compared to the new lines – and are taking steps to make it clear that these are no longer designated parking spaces.

“We will review any representation from motorists who believe they may have had a notice issued to them on this basis.

“Anyone in this position is encouraged to follow the representation process outlined on the back of their notice.”