A COUNCILLOR gave a reward to a kind-hearted citizen after she handed in money which fell out of a broken parking machine.

Stephanie Corder, 59, of Deerhurst, Thundersley, was awarded one month’s free parking in Rayleigh for her good deed.

Mrs Corder attempted to pay £1 for an hour’s stay in Castle Road car park, in Rayleigh, when the machine did not register the payment.

She pressed the cancel button to return the coin and a windfall of £32.80 spilled out.

The honest resident promptly took the cash to Rayleigh Police Station.

Presenting Mrs Corder’s reward, Mike Steptoe, Rochford’s councillor for enterprise, said: “It’s very nice that the lady was honest enough to report it to the police and took the money so quickly to the police station.

“It was a very unusual problem with the parking machine and one which was quickly rectified.”