A couple from Ashton on Mersey are down hundreds of pounds due to parking problems at the gym.

James and Emmeline Maidment-Fullard were members of the Everlast Gym in Sale, once Sport Direct Fitness, for around three years.

According to the couple, from Greenbank Road, those who park at the gym need to put their number plate into a system at the entrance.

James, a broadcast manager for a radio station, said: "We'd never had a problem with it. You can't miss it, it's right next to the entrance."

But as soon as he and his wife started to lease a car through the NHS, thanks to Emmeline's work as a physiotherapist, the couple started to receive a number of fines worth £350.

Initially, the gym agreed to ask private parking company G24 to resolve this, James said. But it turned out the fines were paid already by the NHS.

The couple have appealed to G24 instead, but with no response in weeks.

James said: "We're £350 out of pocket. We've appealed, but we've had nothing back."

"We're completely lost and we don't know where to go. We're incredibly frustrated.

"It's been incredibly stressful. It's £350 in the midst of a cost of living crisis. That's a couple of months of electricity and gas with current prices."

The couple said the stress is not over in case there are fines still to come.

They have both cancelled their memberships at the gym to avoid the risk.

James said: "We didn't want to, but we felt we didn't have a choice. We can't pay £70 to go to the gym.

"The gym have told us it's happened before. It's a problem that they're not taking any action to resolve."

The Messenger asked Everlast Gyms and G24 for comment, although the gym's website reads: "Our gym car parks are managed by an external company, it is your responsibility to ensure you validate your parking using the machines provided in the club.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to assist in the removal of fines."