A Southampton man said he was stunned after he was turned away by a clerk while trying to pay a parking ticket.

Tim Simons said he was told that the ticket was not in the system it was issued to him on September 7.

"I just walked in, went to the lady, and told her I wanted to pay a ticket, and she said I couldn't because it wasn't in the system," he said. "So I asked when I should come back, and she couldn't tell me.

"She said I should just keep on coming by and checking. It's unbelievable. That's probably why they're so behind in getting tickets paid. That's why nobody wants to pay their tickets."

Last year, the Government lost more than $1 million in revenue from unpaid tickets while more than two-thirds of parking tickets issued in 2008 remained unpaid six months after they were issued.

Despite the lost revenue, several people have complained over the last few months that they have not been allowed to pay their tickets.

In August Michael Bickley said that he was turned away twice while attempting to pay a ticket. The next day, two women spoke to The Royal Gazette about experiencing the same problem.

Mr. Simons said that the experience was frustrating.

"I wanted to pay and get it over with. I don't go into town very often, so I just wasted my time. And I put $2 down to park, so I'm wasting even more money," he said.

"I think they need to have more consideration for the people who want to pay their tickets. Other people just take the tickets, rip them up, and throw them away.

"This is probably why so much money is owed in parking tickets."