Parking is always sure to be a topic of conversation in Swindon and when the Advertiser ran a story about a pensioner having issues with an abandoned car making it harder for her to park in her home, things were certainly no different.

Brenda Dore, 78, said that she had difficulty getting in and out of her property in Ashen Copse, Wroughton, because of an abandoned Ford Zetec that had been there 'for months'.

She said: “It's a bit of a mystery, because none of us know where it came from, and surely if anybody bought and parked their car here, why are they now missing for nearly four months?”

But because the car is road legal with an up-to-date MOT and tax, it is not classed as abandoned, meaning that neither Swindon Borough Council as the local authority, or the DVLA can intervene.

Brenda's plight caused a lot of discussion on the Swindon Advertiser Facebook page, with a number of our readers weighing in on the issue.

We've gathered up some of the best responses to the story and have shared them below.

Rockin Robin Official said: "Push it into the road and the council will move it straight away! We had same thing! We pushed it onto pavement and within days it was gone."

Paul Davies said: "Some people think they own the street, no double yellow lines no restricted parking. What the hell is the problem?"

Alan Wilson said: "It may be inconvenient for the householder but, the car is legally parked and compliant with DVLA requirements to do so.

"I could understand the annoyance if the car was parked on the pavement.

"Pavement parking causes untold problems for people who are visually impaired, blind, in a wheelchair, mothers with kids in a pram etc because it forces them into the road to get by, putting themselves at risk of personal injury.

"This is why a parking ban in pavements needs to be introduced sooner rather than later."

Rob Allen said: "We get this all the time. Everyone in our street had at least two cars so there is always a crammed area around our drive.

"I just have to shuffle back and forth to get in and out. It’s annoying how badly some people park but you can live with it.

"It’s how things are these days. Then we get football parking at weekends. But hey - nobody dies and it they park across our drive we just pop out and ask them to move a bit."

Simon Higgs said: "Got the same problem in my street people have a big enough driveway but don't want to put their  bloody cars and vans on it so just park where they like while other people complain there all taking up more than half the pavement."

Margaret Austin said: "Surely the police can contact the owner and ask why it has been parked there?"

Sandy Arnold said: "If the car is taxed and insured then it’s perfectly fine for it to park on side of any road.

"While I agree it’s annoying having a car there and so your friends can’t park, I see no reason why you can’t get out the driveway it’s a good way back and its not blocking your drive?"

Carl Crossley said: "If its abandoned I'm sure you can apply for the cars logbook yourself and get ownership of the car... then remove it legally"

Michelle Clark said: "We have a white Transit van that's not moved since October in our street.

"It's going mouldy inside seat, steering wheel etc but can't get it moved."