The day motorists cashed in on free Leeds city centre parking

These money-spinning meters in front of Bridge Street off Wellington Street were targeted in March 1983 leaving more than a dozen bays without anywhere to pay a parking fee.

Council workmen were forced to take the meters, which could take 20p and 50p coins, away for repairs and were unlikely to return them for a number of days.

In the meantime drivers, who faced a daily game of musical chairs to find a space in the area, could cash in on the meter bays.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire County Council confirmed at the time: "If there is no meter, then parking is free. It would be unfair to penalise motorists in this respect."

Close to the meter bays was a grass verge already a 'free parking zone' for some motorists.

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