THIS is a photo of the first citizen of Poole's mayoral limousine parked illegally in a busy loading bay - and the mayor wasn't even with it.

The snap was taken by a Daily Echo reader who says he spotted the vehicle, number plated APR 1, parked in the bay on a service road behind the Dolphin Centre between 10am and 11.15am on Friday.

He said: "It's not setting a very good example is it? Everyone who parks illegally should get a ticket for it."

According to the mayor's team, the car was on official business.

Staff were making arrangements at the centre prior to the mayor's attendance at the launch of the Poppy Appeal next Friday.

But apparently the grand stretch vehicle is just too big for normal multi-storey car parks.

The mayor, Cllr Jeff Allen, who was visiting Uplands School at the time, said the driver was advised to park there by Borough of Poole parking services.

But he still had to take his chances with the traffic wardens - who could have ticketed him if they'd passed.

Cllr Allen said: "There are certain places the car needs to get where it can't park in a normal space. It has to find somewhere to park out of the way."

He added: "If he was ticketed I suppose he would have had to pay like anyone else."

Tim Martin, head of legal and democratic services, Borough of Poole, confirmed the mayor's limousine had been parked in a loading bay "for a short period of time".

He added: "Use of the vehicle is limited to official mayoral duties and staff have been reminded to comply with Borough of Poole parking restrictions."

According to parking services, a car in a loading bay for more than 10 minutes with no evidence of loading can be ticketed.