A signage blunder created a parking free-for-all at Oxford United's first game of the new football season.

Sub-contractors working for Oxfordshire County Council failed to change adjustable signs informing fans about match day parking restrictions.

The mix-up left residents fuming at the weekend, as their cars were trapped in driveways and pavements were blocked during the game against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

They were doubly angry because they were only forced to start paying for their parking permits in July. They now want assurances the error will not happen again.

But Ian Hudspeth, the man in charge of County Hall's parking policy, said he was unaware of the problem until he was called by the Oxford Mail last night.

The authority has now promised to look into the arrangements.

Under the permit parking scheme, permit holders in about 15 roads in Blackbird Leys, and the majority of roads in Greater Leys, pay £10 a year to park during events held at the Kassam Stadium.

Adjustable signs are supposed to inform visitors the roads are for permit holders only during event hours - normally 1pm until 6pm on Saturday afternoons, and 6pm until 10.30pm for evening games.

Signs are also altered to inform people of restrictions in place during Sunday morning car boot sales at the Kassam Stadium car park.

Residents claimed the signs had not been changed for any of this season's pre-season friendlies, although they had been changed for the car boot sales.

Linda Booker, of Knights Road, said her disabled husband Ian could not make his way along pavements because the extra cars blocked his wheelchair.

She said: "I am fuming. I could not use my car on Saturday because someone had blocked the driveway, so we had to use Ian's car to go shopping.

"When we came back we could not park, so I dropped Ian off and I had to park illegally on the grass. We are being punished for living near a football ground - even though we were living here since before it was built."

Linda's brother-in-law Keith Booker, who also lives on the road, said: "It just seems like robbery to me. They are taking our money under false pretences."

The permit scheme was free until July. Andy Keep, from Skylark Place, said: "If they have not got the signs ready, why do we have to pay £10? It's all wrong."

The signs have been changing every week to warn people of restrictions during car boot sales.

Ian Hudspeth, county councillor for transport implementation, said a huge amount of roads were involved in the permit scheme, but admitted: "I was not aware of the situation. I am not sure why the signs were not changed, but I will look into it."