Swadlincote Police issued fines totalling £3,000 to drivers who parked illegally outside Foremark Reservoir yesterday (Sunday).

Thirty motorists decided to park on the grass verges outside the South Derbyshire beauty spot as the reservoir shut its gates when it was full.

But drivers still proceeded to leave their cars on the road outside - even blocking one lady's driver and issuing some verbal abuse when she complained.

Officers then intervened and decided to hand out £100 fines and three points on licences.

They also reproduced a string of excuses on the Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team as to why drivers decided to park illegally.

One driver even tried to - jokingly - bribe an officer and was given a warning.

Police had issued a message before the sweltering weekend that any offences would be acted on Swadlincote Police warn sun seekers.

The SNT post reads: "For the most part, the team had a fairly trouble-free weekend, enduring the blistering summer heat. That was until around 16:00 hours.

"Thousands of people visited Foremark yesterday as the temperature continued to increase, with the vast majority of the public causing no issues. (Thank you).

"At around 15:30 hrs with Foremark full the gates were closed to the public. The public still tried to gain entry in their vehicles but were turned away.

"Thirty drivers decided to park on the grass verge on Repton Road and caused chaos.

"The drivers also blocked several local residents' drives. One elderly lady receiving a load of verbal abuse for challenging a group of males who had blocked her drive

"Not only was the parking dangerous the drivers decided to walk on the roads to get Foremark because their parking would not allow them to walk on the grass verge.

"They did not only put their own lives and children at risk, they caused other road users to take evasive action to avoid a serious accident.

"You had been warned positive action would be taken.

"The sergeant and the team issued 30 tickets in the sweltering heat, each driver will receive a fine of £100 and three points on their licence.

"A common question we like to ask here is "What were you thinking?", well on this occasion, we can provide some insight in the form of some of the truly pitiful excuses we heard.

• Where else are we meant to park?", reply: "Not opposite double white lines, on double yellow line and on the grass verge, the site is closed?"

• I am not the only one who parked here?" reply: "No, you're not that's why you are all getting a ticket"

• Have you got nothing better to do?" reply: "Not when were trying to save lives and protect the local residents from abuse and Anti-social behaviour."

• Can you help me, due to the hot weather, my car has got stuck in the grass verge?" reply: "Ticket, fine, points and the cost of recovery."

Last month, Swadlincote Police described a 'day of shame' at the reservoir when visitors were involved in anti-social behavour Police describe day of wanton destrcuction.

But this time, their focus was more on parking issues.

The SNT added: "The best line was for the dangerous parking: 'Oh it looks worse than it is', reply: "Yes, it is you have two bald tyres and could kill someone parked like this!", driver reported for summons.

"Oh and don't try and offer a tenner to the Sergeant, even as joke, to avoid the ticket. You will have a one way ticket to custody next time!

"Local residents were incredibly thankful of the team's support with one coming over to say: 'I Love you all, ticket the lot.'

"People who had visited Foremark and were on their way home waving their tickets, saying 'It was the best £3 we have ever spent, keep up the good work'.

"Sergeant Nizzer wanted to thank the staff at Foremark for their support yesterday, and his team Rob, Ellie and Laura.

"We will continue to take a multi-agency approach with positive action to protect our residents and community."