Visitors to Carlisle's Sheepmount Stadium are frustrated at the number of tickets being dished out while they wait for work on its free car park to start.

Angela Bell, of Dalston, is among those who have been hit with a ticket and she has also seen others slapped with the yellow fines.

Mrs Bell is at the stadium five times a week to take her daughter, who trains with Carlisle Aspatria Athletic Club and Team North Cumbria.

The Sheepmount's car park and other facilities have been out of action since Storm Desmond brought destruction to the city in December 2015.

Mrs Bell, 47, said: "We suffered the floods. It's not our fault that the council has not started on the car park that belongs to the track where people can park freely. Every day somebody is getting a ticket down there."

Cars are restricted to go over the bridge and park in the stadium's car park but the council says the road to the site is an emergency route and must be kept clear at all times.

Mrs Bell said Sundays are particularly busy as footballers are also using the facilities and not only is there a lack of space for people to park, she said the state of the car park was "horrendous".

One weekend Mrs Bell saw every vehicle parked on the road around the roundabout had been issued a ticket.

She has also noticed drivers are being penalised for parking in a layby, which should say 'coaches only' but the writing has worn away. There are no double yellow lines.

While she's aware Devonshire Walk Car Park is available to park in, Mrs Bell said that on a night the area is not lit.

She was issued her ticket, along with a few others last week.

She said: "Something needs to be done or there needs to be a bit of grey area while the work is being done because there is nowhere else to park."

City councillor Mike Mitchelson also has concerns.

He said: "I think more should have been done because of the length of time the car park has been out of action. Even if it means opening part of it."

A spokeswoman for Carlisle City Council said: "Following extensive flood-damage to the Sheepmount site, the car park is currently unavailable. Alternative parking is available in nearby pay and display car parks, including Devonshire Walk.

"The access road to the Sheepmount needs to be clear of vehicles at all times, as it is an emergency route to the site. Clear signage is in place making it clear that no parking is allowed. Anyone that parks on the road is at risk of receiving a parking fine.”