Car park's unwanted trolley title

Trolleys and cars shouldn't mix, but can do in the Carmarthen car park

A supermarket car park in west Wales has picked up an unwanted accolade - capital of the rogue shopping trolley.

The Carmarthen branch of Tesco has been named worst for stray trolleys in a survey across the UK of car parks.

Kevin Beresford, head of the Car Park Appreciation Society, analysed 35 UK car parks in categories including paint scrapes, bay width and skid factor.

Tesco said: "Our trolley attendants do their very best to make sure it is kept clear and tidy."

The Carmarthen car park was pinpointed in research for AA Insurance carried out by car park connoisseur Mr Beresford .

A lot of people think I'm criticising Carmarthen, but I'm not - I'm just criticising the car park Kevin Beresford, Car Park Appreciation Society

The UK's most motorist-friendly car park was named as St James in King's Lynn, Norfolk, which was described as "adorned with beautiful red brickwork".

No Welsh car park made the top 10, but Carmarthen Tesco picked up its unenviable title.

However, Mr Beresford said the shortcomings of the Tesco car park were no reflection on Carmarthen itself.

He added: "I had one rogue trolley shoved past me in Carmarthen - it was a really blustery day and it could have gone into any car.

Tesco says its attendants do their best to clear the car park

"A lot of people think I'm criticising Carmarthen, but I'm not - I'm just criticising the car park."

Serious side

Wales could have had a more impressive accolade when Mr Beresford visited a car park in the Black Mountains which supposedly has the best view in Britain.

But the weather was so bad "you couldn't see two feet in front of you."

Despite that, however, he still described it as delightful and rustic.

Mr Beresford said there was a serious side to his research.

"We all want to know our cars are safe," he said.

"They are very expensive and the last thing you want is to come back and find it is has been burgled or someone has pranged it.

"Many car parks are so dark - it's not a big thing, is it, to put in some light?"

It is spacious, well-lit and adorned with beautiful red brickwork Judges on the winner - St James car park, King's Lynn, Norfolk

His research analysed key areas such as paint scrapes, parking bay width, skid factor, likelihood of bumping into a rogue shopping trolley and 'loseability' factor.

Tesco defended the Carmarthen store's car park.

A spokesman said: "We are not the owners of the car park, but we manage it on their behalf and our trolley attendants do their very best to make sure it is kept clear and tidy.

"Most shoppers are great at returning their trolleys, but we do recognise that stray trolleys can be an issue for motorists."

Meanwhile, the car park judged as Britain's best in King's Lynn was called a "Lady in Red" which "simply oozed class".

Judge Kevin Beresford said: "It was love at first sight. It is spacious, well-lit and adorned with beautiful red brickwork."