TRAFFIC attendants were today reported to be turning a blind eye to illegal parking by a baker, in exchange for free bacon rolls.

The claims were made by furious shopkeepers who trade on the same Old Town street as Preacher's Patisserie, but they are forced to pay around £10 a day in nearby car parks.

They say the Edinburgh attendants allow the baker's Renault Clio to park illegally every day in return for the free food.

It is claimed the attendants walk past the Clio, parked on either a double or single yellow line on Lady Lawson Street, several times each day, as they know it belongs to shop boss Keith Preacher - the son of owner Alan.

One person who works in the street was reported as saying: "The whole thing stinks. They spend their time making everyone's life a misery, then they turn a blind eye for a bacon roll."

Keith Preacher denies giving the attendants free rolls, but did not say whether he had ever received a ticket in the street. He said: "We don't give them anything for free. The attendants come in and tell me to move my car from time to time and that's all I'm going to say."

A spokesman for National Car Parks, the firm which runs Edinburgh's parking system, said: "We are dismayed by these allegations, and if they are true we will take a very firm line."