SKIPTON'S unofficial parking amnesty is over.

After more than six months without a traffic warden, new recruit Karen Maddox has hit the streets to restore order to the double yellow line system and bring those who overstay their welcome on the setts to book.

In addition to unlawful parking, she will also be on the lookout for fraudulent tax discs, stolen vehicles and will keep a lookout for shoplifters.

Karen, who was previously shop manager for Cancer Research and has worked for Social Services, said she had wanted to be a traffic warden for years.

"I think it's being outside and I just like being where the action is," she explained. "I also like working on my own."

The fact that she's a mother-of- two and also works at a nursing home doesn't mean she will take any nonsense, however.

"I don't want people taking advantage of me. If they are in the wrong I'll stand my ground, but I won't be aggressive or nasty," she said.

Karen, from Glusburn, is now warning motorists, who have fallen into a false sense of security in the absence of a warden to be careful and lists people driving and talking on the phone and motorists leaving their cars overnight on the setts as two of her pet hates.

Picture by Stephen Garnett.