Andrew Frith and his partner Olivia Donnelly parked at the pay-and-display facility ahead of their hike on the weekend. The facility charges ￡2 but the machines only accept coins, and the couple only had a five pound note.

       So Andrew, 42, left the fiver and wrote a friendly note explaining their situation. It also told the parking attendant to keep the change as a tip, reports North Wales Live.

       But when they returned from their hike in Snowdonia, the couple found a penalty notice on their car.

       Andrew, a financial consultant, said: "The banknote was left under the wiper with a friendly note to the parking attendant.

       "So we were very disappointed to arrive back later to find a penalty notice.

       "It is a sad state of affairs when genuine people who do the right thing are still penalised.

       "Surely the parking system is not in place to target this type of goodwill and honest behaviour?"

       The couple, who had travelled to the tourist site from the West Midlands, said the incident sent out the wrong message to visitors who try to behave honestly.

       They've accused Gwynedd Council, controlled by the Plaid Cymru party, of being petty.

       Andrew, who has a weekend home in the area, added: "We did not bring coins in view of past government guidance that they could encourage the spread of Covid.

       "We regularly go hiking in Snowdonia and I’m the kind of person who likes to pay for parking when it’s not really necessary, as the proceeds go to fund local services and facilities.

       "Over the last 12 months I must have paid ￡50 more than I needed to on parking.

       "So all we’re calling for is a little common sense and a bit of human decency.

       "It should have been clear to the parking attendant that we were happy to pay – and did pay.

       "The ￡5 we left was more than the cost of the parking ticket.

       "Clearly we risked someone stealing the money but for us, morally, paying for our parking was the right thing to do.

       "Everyone has rules but this was not in the spirit of them, nor was it morally justifiable."

       Andrew and Olivia, an NHS clinical psychologist, told the parking attendant in their note that they "really wanted to hike" up the mountain.

       The couple often visit the area, which is popular with tourists.

       Gwynedd Council said there is an appeal process for fines.

       "Every appeal is thoroughly assessed,” said a spokesperson.

       “At the end of this process, should the complainant remain unhappy, they have the right to appeal to an independent adjudication body.”