Kennington News

But days after he stopped on the double yellow line in Kennington Road, Lambeth council issued him with a £100 (Dh726) fine for stopping on a yellow line.

The 55-year-old, who suffers from chronic myloid leukaemia and has only five years to live, wrote to the authority to explain the situation and enclosed details of a chemotherapy drug he takes that can give patients severe muscle spasms.

The council's response was a brief note saying that despite the "unusual circumstances", his illness was not "sufficient justification to cancel the penalty charge notice".

He said: "I was disgusted with their lack of understanding. I am fully aware that you cannot stop on a double yellow line, but it was either that or potentially losing control of my vehicle and endangering lives."

He said that he had stopped for only 40 seconds and remained beside his Renault Clio while he stretched the leg.

"It was not as though I pulled over to pop into the newsagents," he said. "The CCTV images clearly show that I stayed with my vehicle and was caught on camera for less than a minute."

The hairdresser from Barnet was diagnosed in 2001.

Heart-breaking

"Since the day I was diagnosed, I have not taken a single day off work," he said. "I have fought it and I have carried on with my life. It's something I'm very proud of. I am a good, law-abiding citizen so it's heart-breaking that this simple appeal against my parking fine has gone ignored. Has the council no compassion?"

For the past two years, Muir has been taking a new drug that has eased his symptoms. But it has also caused side effects, including spasms in his calves and ankles. He said: "Usually I get the pains at night so it was shock to have them suddenly start when I was behind the wheel."

Honour: Screening technique wins health 'Oscar'

A cancer screening technique that could save thousands of lives has been honoured at the healthcare "Oscars" in London.

The method significantly increases early detection rates for some of the most common cancers by using a marker that is not present in normal cells. Dr Nicholas Coleman, who has been working on the project at the Medical Research Council's Cancer Cell Unit in Cambridge, said: "We think this will make a real difference." The team was honoured at the Medical Futures Innovations awards.

- Evening Standard