Hundreds of motorists in Edinburgh have been hit with fines after a mobile phone app mistakenly stated that parking was free.

Drivers using the RingGo app on December 27 were informed that parking in the capital was free that day and they did not need to process a payment.

But parking restrictions were in force and around 300 cars were issued parking fines as a result of the app, which is managed by Edinburgh City Council contractor NSL.

RingGo have now sent a 'text blast' to customers apologising for the error, informing them that "parking tickets issued to users for 11P or 11S contraventions will be cancelled".

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said: "Details relating to parking restrictions during the Festive period are advertised very clearly through our website and social media and are provided on ticket machines throughout the city.

"We are aware, however, that there was an error for a time with the RingGo payment service managed by our contracted partner NSL.

"We are liaising with NSL to ensure that RingGo users who were issued with a parking ticket, due the system failure on Tuesday, have their tickets cancelled."

An NSL spokesman said: "NSL has confirmed that parking restrictions and charges in the city of Edinburgh do apply on Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January as stated on all Pay and Display machines and on the City Of Edinburgh Council's website.

"Full enforcement procedures apply on both dates in order to maintain safe and fair access for anyone visiting the shops and facilities in and around the city centre.

"The company has confirmed that it has been made aware of an incorrect instruction on the RingGo app and RingGo website and has asked for the instructions to be amended as a matter of urgency.

"It has advised anyone who has received an incorrect Penalty Charge Notice on 27 December, as a result of the error, to appeal to have their ticket cancelled."