A LARGE chunk of my job as a local reporter is spent behind the wheel of my trusty Renault Clio.

Having to pop out of the office to visit a councillor, or a victim or an 'outraged resident', is part and parcel of being a journalist.

But since I stopped covering High Wycombe and Princes Risborough for the Bucks Free Press, and moved over to Amersham and Chesham, I've noticed I don't dread driving on the open road so much.

The reason is simple. Parking.

I've lived in High Wycombe for 20 years and I've been driving for just over five of those years.

And how I hate driving in High Wycombe.

On the other hand, I don't mind driving in Amersham or Chesham. I'm even partial to the odd drive into one of the Chalfonts once in a while.

It's so refreshing to pull into Amersham or Chesham and find a place to park (for nothing!) with relative ease.

But I can almost hear you all now: "What is he talking about. You can never find a space. We've got no traffic wardens. We've got parking anarchy."

Rubbish. Whenever I drive into Chiltern, I'm guaranteed to find a space somewhere.

No, I don't park on double yellows and no I don't block people's driveways.

It may take five to ten minutes but I always find a space.

But if you lot want traffic wardens, my goodness you'll get them.

Just look at High Wycombe.

Last Sunday I got a £60 parking ticket for daring to leave my car in High Wycombe town centre for ten minutes while I popped to the bank. My car was causing no obstruction at all and anyway it was a Sunday.

When I approached the parking attendant he was typically smug. I swore at him, which made me feel better, but I knew he'd won. They always pick Sundays to pounce they must make a killing.

So those in Chiltern who complain that they need a stricter parking system should take heed.

If Amersham and Chesham end up with a positive parking regime High Wycombe-style, people will not be happy.

Wycombe's parking scheme is the most draconian, ill-thought out, expensive and immoral project embarked upon by local government, if you ask me.

If anyone thinks they've got it bad in Chiltern take a look over the hill.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

You have been warned.