By David Raven

The bus which was ticketed in Southport earlier this month

The company in charge of traffic wardens in Southport was started with the aim to help out disabled veterans from World War I, the Champion can reveal.

Dozens of readers inundated the newspaper with letters following last week's story about a traffic warden who placed a parking ticket on a coach full of limbless WWII veterans.

But in a staggering twist it has appeared that the company contracted for Sefton's parking, The Legion Group, were originally started by the British Legion to help out disabled veterans from WWI.

On Thursday July 15, the ambulance coach carrying 16 disabled residents of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen organisation, was given a parking ticket for pulling up next to the Scarisbrick Hotel on Lord Street.

Readers contacted the Champion after last week's story claiming that traffic warden's in Southport were paid for by the Armed Forces charity.

But even though the Legion Group are now an independent private security and parking business as of 2009, the company claims it still maintains its strong links to the Armed Forces.

It said on it's website: “Legion Group plc has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1921, when the British Legion was formed to help the many disabled and jobless veterans from World War I.”

A former council leader and ex-Labour MP for Billericay who now lives in Southport, claims that their traffic wardens should be put on a training course to teach them common sense.

Eric Moonman told the Champion: “The reaction to the story is surprising. It is effecting servicemen around the country and is not just a local issue.

"I believe the attendant lacked common sense and that they should be put on a training course teaching them common sense because this is damaging Southport's reputation."

Geoff Horner of Marshside who served 25 years in the Forces said: "I think it's disgusting the way they are treating veterans like that it's an absolute disgrace - I think Sefton should hang their heads in shame."

Tarleton resident Kirsty Stringfellow said: ” There wouldn't even be a Southport let alone the Scarisbrick hotel without the hero's that fought for our country! It is unacceptable to expect the company to make men in their late eighties cross the busy road in the torrential rain, never mind the fact that they have lost their limbs."

Ainsdale resident David Andrews added: "Thank God it's Wooton Basset that our troops are repatreated to and not Southport as our traffic wardens would have a ball."