TRACTOR enthusiast Derek Coldrick would not even be able to drive his beloved Fergie diesel to the end of the street, let alone out of the county.

But that has not stopped the 61-year-old getting a parking ticket for allegedly leaving the eight-foot tractor on a street in Herefordshire.

Mr Coldrick, who lives in Bowling Green Lane, Cirencester, was left open-mouthed when a £60 fine dropped through his letter-box claiming the vehicle had been parked in Broad Street, Hereford, on the afternoon of October 30.

He told the Standard: "It was a big surprise. I couldn't believe what I was reading. You couldn't even drive my tractor to the edge of town, let alone Hereford."

Mr Coldrick bought the grey tractor for £600 in 1994 with the idea of restoring it to its former glory.

He had enjoyed riding on tractors on his grandfather's farm in South Cerney when he was a boy and had always wanted to buy one for himself.

He also has nine grandchildren who have all had their photo taken on the vehicle, which he has since painted but still has no brakes.

"It's not roadworthy," he said. "It's never really been out of the shed. It's just a bit of fun."

He added: "I understand people do pinch number-plates and it seems that is what happened here."

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council confirmed a ticket had been issued on a car in Broad Street with a number-plate that matched the tractor's.

Mr Coldrick contested the ticket and this week Herefordshire Council accepted his explanation and cancelled the Penalty Charge Notice.

Alison Cook, Income Recovery Manager at the council, wrote to Mr Coldrick saying: "It would seem that the registration number has been cloned and so if it is involved in similar incidents you may well be contacted again."