Drivers have been warned "almost all supermarket car parks" are fitted with age-specific spaces with motorists at risk of breaking the rules. Experts at Avalon Motor Company have stressed parent and child parking spaces are a common sight at shopping centres but the bays cannot be used by simply anyone. 

These spaces are usually wider, with more room to allow road users to open their car doors more widely than in standard bays. Usually, parent and child bays can only be used by individuals with youngsters under the age of 12. It means those carrying around teenagers or young adults should not be using the spaces when heading to the store. 

All of the UK’s top four supermarkets, namely Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have several stores fitted with parent and child bays. 

Avalon said: "In almost all supermarket car parks, you’ll find designated spaces for parent and child parking, and they’re usually closer to the store doors to save parents having to cross more of the busy car park than is necessary. 

"Whilst it can seem ambiguous as to who can park there, we’re here to clear things up: you can park in a parent and child parking space if you’re entering the shop with a child who is under 12 years old. 

"The age of 12 is used as the limit, as this is the age up to which a child must be secured in the vehicle using child restraints, such as child car seats. 

It means individuals could be slapped with a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) in a potentially serious blow to cash-strapped individuals. 

The RAC explained: "Supermarket car parks are private property. Any rules about their use will be enforced by the supermarket themselves or by a private firm allocated to manage them."

According to the motoring experts, individuals who spot a driver using a parent and child bay incorrectly should speak to a store manager.