Sir, Irritating though it may be for Christopher Gray to see disabled parking spaces standing empty (Gray Matter, April 7), I can assure him it is nowhere near as irritating as it is for disabled drivers to see their designated spaces being used by lazy able-bodied people.

The usual excuse given for this selfish behaviour is that it is only for a minute or two while they use the cashpoint, or nip into a shop, but what these people fail to appreciate is that a succession of people doing this throughout the day means that the space is in effect unavailable for the disabled person. Some people simply don't care, and will openly admit it.

The problem is particularly bad on a Sunday when there are no wardens about, and when disabled people are obviously expected just to stay at home. Every parking ticket issued to able bodied motorists using disabled spaces is a welcome reminder that this is selfish and anti-social behaviour, and may help persuade them to mend their ways.

Barbara Williams, Sparsholt