I WANT to show you how to rip-up your parking tickets! Not literally, of course.

But follow these methods to cancel UNFAIR parking fines, or reclaim clamp and tow-away fees, and it's effectively the same thing.

The stats are simple. Take parking appeals all the way to Independent Tribunal stage, and you've an astonishing 70 per cent chance of SUCCESS.

Often, councils don't bother defending. Yet they are bothered to give out eight million-plus tickets annually.

REMEMBER, IT'S ABOUT UNFAIR TICKETS

The aim isn't to flout the law. Parking rules are there for safety and improved traffic flow. If you've parked on a double yellow line causing delays, or left the car dangerously near a school, you're on your own.

Yet, as any motorist will testify, some tickets aren't fair. There are parking signs and restrictions that make NO sense or lack CLARITY. Then there's human error.

And it's not just mistakes. A fortnight ago this paper did a shocking exposé on a few rogue traffic wardens FAKING tickets. (You can see them caught on video at www.notw.co.uk/go/wardens ).

So next time you get that sinking feeling when you spot an unfair £120 demand stuck on your windscreen, fight back!

STEP 1. IMMEDIATELY COLLECT ALL THE EVIDENCE

Take pictures at the scene of anything that helps your case-a mobile phone camera will do. Snaps may include unclear signs, road markings or your car's position. Plus gather any paper evidence.

STEP 2. WHAT TYPE OF TICKET?

There are three main types:

Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Issued by councils and Transport for London, and by far the most common.

Fixed Penalty Notices. Issued by the police-more rare and much harder to fight, see www.moneysavingexpert.com/parking

Private tickets. Land owners, such as supermarkets, can issue tickets. OUTRAGEOUSLY, these are often disguised to resemble official tickets (e.g. deviously being named PCNs).

Yet if there's no council, police force or Act of Parliament mentioned, it's a private ticket. Here, the rules are completely different. Most people should ignore the ticket and await the posted invoice.

Some companies are COWBOYS and won't bother chasing if you don't pay. Read more at www.moneysavingexpert.com/privateparking

The rest of this guide tells you what to do with those tricky PCNs.

STEP 3: DON'T PAY IF YOU'RE FIGHTING IT

Importantly, the vehicle owner, not the driver, is responsible for a PCN. The ticket normally states if you don't pay quickly, usually within 14 days, the fine doubles. Yet there's a golden rule: Paying means admitting liability, so DON'T pay if you plan to appeal.

Plus, if your initial appeal fails, most councils allow you to pay the reduced fine within two weeks of rejection. But if you're clamped or towed away, the rules are different. You must cough-up to get your motor released - so paying doesn't mean accepting liability.

STEP 4: WORK OUT AN ARGUMENT

Don't get befuddled by reading the complicated official appeal grounds on your ticket form. They don't matter.

More important is preparing your reasoning. Strongest argument is "why it's unfair" - anything from a faded sign or ambiguous notice to a traffic warden who got it wrong. You'll have much less success arguing mitigating circumstances. In other words, "I did it, but I've got an excuse".

Mistakes are so common that sometimes a whole swathe of tickets in an area are technically incorrect. Check www.appealnow.com/news which lists examples.

STEP 5. APPEAL

Remember, no matter how stupid the ticket, a human being decides your fate. Being rude may ruin your chances.

Appeal informally. If you've just been ticketed, the first step's an informal appeal within 14 days. There's no form, just write to the address on the ticket, explaining your argument with copies of any evidence to support it.

If unsuccessful, decide how serious you are. If you appeal again, it's all or nothing-after this point you CAN'T still pay a half-price fine.

So only continue if you're convinced that you're right.

Formal appeals. If you've been clamped or towed, you'll start at this step. Or if the informal appeal's rejected, as is common, you're sent a form demanding that you pay in full or formally appeal. It's likely you'll be rejected here, but don't worry-the next stage is the key.

Independent Tribunal. You'll get a form for this with the official appeal rejection. Ensure you resubmit all evidence. Don't assume it has been passed on. This is where the chances improve -seven out of 10 motorists WIN. So if you're serious, this is the place.

I've drafted free template letters for all the appeal stages. Find them, plus further appeal info, at www.moneysavingexpert.com/parking

Your questions answered

Q Three years ago I took out a loan. They accepted me with gold insurance cover, which was too expensive, so they said I'd be allowed the loan with bronze cover. It was just within my budget and not wanting to lose out on good rates, I accepted. At no point was I told I didn't need the extra cover. Was I mis-sold it? - Neil Benting.

A Quite clearly. If the cover's compulsory they need to include its cost in the APR, which no lenders do. This type of nasty payment protection insurance mis-selling is common and thousands of people are fighting it and getting their cash back. You'll find free template letters to help at www.moneysavingexpert.com/ppi

Q There has never been a better time to start a bank for the people that would have fair charges and offer financial advice on all loans and mortgages. Would you consider launching such a venture? - John Kaval

A An interesting question. Setting up a bank isn't easy, but there are many credit unions across the UK where local communities provide their own banking facilities. It's worth checking out if there's one near you at www.abcul.org , though the law does impose some restrictions on membership and trading.

As for me doing it, I'd only be happy if it were a 0 per cent interest, 100 per cent cashback mortgage, so it couldn't be beaten. And I doubt that'll ever happen!

TV Money Guru Martin Lewis is the creator of the Consumer Revenge website www.MoneySavingExpert.com which is packed with info on how to get more money in your pocket.

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