DISABLED rights groups today demanded that hundreds of people in line for a surprise parking fine refund should donate the money to charity.

More than 600 people who illegally parked in Southampton's disabled bays will get their fines refunded following a city council blunder, as reported in the Daily Echo yesterday.

But the £20,000 being dished out should go into charity coffers, say campaigners.

Disabled rights organisations are urging motorists receiving £30 and £60 refunds to examine their consciences.

The move, which has the backing of council transport bosses, could prompt a massive windfall for Southampton charities desperately in need of cash.

Ian Loynes from the Southampton Centre for Independent Living said: "The refund is mandatory so hopefully a lot of people will examine their consciences enough to say they don't want to benefit from this and someone else should.

"Lesser known charities run by disabled people for disabled people in this city are sorely underfunded and the money would be very welcome."

He suggested the cash should go to the Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People or Southampton's Disability Advice and Information.

At Southampton Mind, a charity which supports people with mental health problems, organisers were fully behind the idea.

"I certainly would encourage people to give the money to charity," said Steve Sammut.

"If people have parked illegally, hopefully they'll have a conscience about this."

Lisa Thomas, from Southampton's Shopmobility scheme, added: "You can't make people give it to charity but if they've done something wrong and they know they

shouldn't have done it, why not?"

City head of transport Rod Anderson said: "These are people who have paid the fine, so have already admitted they've done something wrong. Maybe they'll have a conscience."

Letters sent out last night asked motorists what name should go on the refund cheques.

The massive payout was triggered after council bosses realised 1,000 Southampton disabled parking bays were unenforceable.

Each bay should have a metal sign stating the space is for disabled drivers only but none in the city did. For the past 18 months, traffic wardens have been illegally collecting fines from bays without signs.