After what has been labelled the 'worst ever' Christmas parade came to a close in Swansea, there was more disappointment to follow for some.

For a number returned to their vehicles to find they had been given parking tickets.

Some had been parked illegally, but others claimed to have been in car parks listed as free to use on a Sunday, the same day as the parade.

In response, a spokesman for Swansea Council said they needed to ensure people were parked legally and safely, and that anyone who felt they had been treated unfairly could appeal their penalty charge notice.

Sunday's parade left a number of families disappointed as just three floats took to the streets in the build-up to the Christmas lights switch-on.

A large number of people took to social media after the event to criticise it, with some describing it as the worst ever.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart later apologised to "everyone who was disappointed" as he explained that the ongoing construction work in the city centre meant the local authority "could not deliver the full parade that we had last year".

But insult was added to injury for some who returned to a nasty surprise on their windscreens.

Danielle Cairney, 27, from Clase, had made the journey into the town centre in a friend's car with her two-year-old daughter and her friend's two young children to watch the parade.

The women returned to the car, which had been parked on double yellow lines in The Strand, to see they had been issued with a parking ticket.

The Strand, in Swansea city centre, where Miss Cairney's friend had parked for the parade

Miss Cairney, who is splitting the £75 fine with her friend, said: "We got there at about 4.30pm and we had been looking for parking but everywhere was rammed.

"Everyone was parking there [on The Strand] so we just followed them as we thought they're not going to fine on a Sunday, especially with such a big event on.

"We returned to our car after a let down at the parade to a parking ticket, so not only did Swansea Council put on a let down of a parade, they also made their money in parking fines.

"We weren't the only ones. There were about 15 cars and every car that was parked in the same place had one.

"We're not happy, especially as it's close to Christmas as well, I can't be affording to pay a ticket. The parade was a let down and then we were also let down by the ticket."

A number of other drivers have also complained about receiving fines following the event.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the parade
The leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, has apologised to "everyone who was disappointed" with the event

Gareth Lewis said: "It was in a pay and display car park that clearly stated free on Sunday.

"Apparently I was six inches outside the marked bay. While others were parked on double yellow lines and zebra crossings on the roads with no tickets."

Rachel Heatman wrote: "I had one when I was parked in a parking bay in a car park which is free on a Sunday! I wasn't parked illegally, luckily I have proof of this so I can argue my case."

Kara Stebbings added: "There were hundreds of people there not just from Swansea, coming from different parts. Nowhere to park.

"They should have realised there was a huge event on with loads of cars. Oh yeah, they did, hence why the traffic warden was out in force.

"First time we come and will be the last. My children didn't enjoy it whatsoever."

The Swansea Council spokesman said: "Parking enforcement is an important part of any event held in the city centre.

"The expectation of large numbers of visitors means we need to ensure people are parked legally and safely - either in our car parks or on the street.

"Anyone that has received a penalty charge notice but feels they have received it incorrectly can use our appeals process to contest the ticket."