Robert Ogier has taken pen and pad in hand, and he is on the prowl. Ryedale's newest - and only - traffic warden is relishing the task of

monitoring one of the largest patches in Britain.

The skin of a rhinoceros, the composure of a Hindu sacred cow and the patience of a saint - just three qualities you'd need to do Robert Ogier's job.

"I've had a few angry comments from people I've dealt with," he says.

"People tend to park outside shops and banks and have come back to find me going about my business. I've had one or two irate people have a go at me.

"Ultimately you just have to bite your tongue and remind them that they are committing an offence."

Yes. Robert Ogier is a traffic warden.

"People must understand that I'm just trying to do my job though and if they are parked illegally, they are in the wrong," he adds.

Indeed, so stringent is Ryedale's new warden, that he even gave me a ticket - only hours before I was due to interview him.

I'd parked on Saville Street, in Malton, and had completely forgotten I was interviewing a traffic warden later that day.

I couldn't believe it - £30 for having a bad memory. I won't let that happen again.

But I didn't scream abuse at him.

Instead, I bought him a cup of tea at the nearest caf and asked him about his new job.

Covering all the main market towns in the district, as well as Hutton-le-Hole, means his patch is one of the largest in Britain - 500 square miles or thereabouts.

On a typical day he might start the morning with a walk around Pickering, ticketing tourists, before zipping across to scour Helmsley.

After a brief lunch it's time to whizz south for an afternoon stroll around Malton and Norton.

"I am basically responsible for maintaining free traffic-flow around the whole of Ryedale," says Robert.

"I used to be the area manager for a company which covered an area from Sheffield to Middlesbrough so I'm used to covering large tracts of land.

"I'm not working to any pattern because then people might get used to me being on duty in certain towns on certain days - no two days are the same."

Ryedale has been without a traffic warden for just over six months and, according to Robert, drivers have become used to having a free reign.

"I think I will catch a lot of drivers off guard who have assumed they can get away with parking where they please," he said.

If statistics are to be believed traffic wardens are among of the most hated people in the UK - up there with journalists.

"I am aware of this, but at the end of the day it's just a job," he adds.

"I've had a few sarcastic comments from my friends but you've just got to develop a thick skin.

"I think people hate us so much because parking seems such a minor offence, but in actual fact drivers don't realise they could be blocking someone else's way.

"I'm really enjoying the job because it gets me out into the fresh air and I think eventually people will get used to having me around."

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, April 10, 2001