The four faulty machines outside Worth's bakery in Welling High Street may gobble up as much as £10 a day from unwitting drivers. And they have been in place for nearly a year.

A sign on the parking meters, which are operated by Bexley Council contractor Sureway, says both 20p and 10p coins are accepted.

And although it has been told about the problem, the firm has done nothing to stop drivers wasting their money.

Carpenter Paul Woodall, who uses the parking bays while he buys his daily loaf, said: "It is not a lot of money but it's the principle of the thing - to me it's theft.

"Over the past three months I have told Sureway about the problem three times and they have done nothing."

Mrs Callagahan, co-owner of Worths the Bakers said: "Everyone who uses the meters follows the same procedure - they put their money in, then look perplexed."

A Sureway spokesman said it had only recently been informed the meters were faulty. He said he was consulting the meter manufacturers about the problem.

He refused to say whether a sign will be put on the meters telling drivers not to insert 10 pence coins.

A Bexley Council spokesman said he hoped the meters would be fixed soon.