APRIL fool ghouls gave city car owners the shivers by handing out false parking tickets.

But the team of pranksters from The York Dungeon got a shock themselves when they incurred the wrath of City of York Council.

Dungeon actors scoured the city delivering the tickets, modelled on the council's official version but stamped with registration APR 11 - FOOL.

They told recipients to head to the York Dungeon, "there to be scared out of ye wits."

"Quite a few people dashed back to their cars to try and stop us," said Dungeon actor Dave Honan. "They all had a good laugh as soon as they realised it was a hoax, although there was one chap who raced out of a bed and breakfast pulling his trousers up whose language was quite strong." Dungeon manager Helen Douglas said she was contacted by council officers protesting.

A council spokesman said: "Although we have had no formal complaints from members of the public about this organisation's marketing activities, a number of our wardens were approached about the 'spoof' parking tickets because some people hadn't immediately realised they weren't genuine.

"We did ring York Dungeon to advise them that their activities were upsetting motorists and other members of the public. We have certainly not threatened legal action because we think the joke has now probably run its course."

Affected motorists were offered free entry to the Dungeon with their tickets.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, April 03, 2002