An image of a council vehicle parked on double yellow lines caused anger and accusations of hypocrisy when shared online.

The image showed a Swindon Borough Council car parked on a double yellow line near the Cenotaph in town centre.

The caption read: “How can the wardens give out tickets when they are themselves parked in a no stopping area and on double yellows?(Image: David Burrage)

“No one was in the car either. It's not fair. One rule for them and another rule for the drivers.”

Others joined in to explain times they had seen similar parking by council officers in places where anyone else might be issued a ticket.

But the council have responded with why their employees can park where you cannot.

READ MORE: Rats spotted as 'stinking' rubbish bins overflow at town centre flats

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Civil Enforcement Officers in our parking team are allowed to park in restricted areas if they are on duty or are dealing with an incident or emergency.

“This is normally when there is no alternative parking.”

This is not the only rule some public bodies are exempt from, but which would land anyone else with a punishment.

According to Reuters, police cars are MOT exempt. Rather, police departments maintain and repair their own fleets in-house in specialist workshops.