Hospital porter Kevin Milnes thought his worries had finally come to an end when North Yorkshire police called him to say they had found his stolen moped.

But when he went to pick up the battered 50cc Piaggio six days later from a York firm he was presented with a £200 bill for recovery and storage.

Mr Milnes, 55, of Heslington, York, said he could barely believe what he was hearing, especially when he learned the moped had been found only 200 yards from where he parked it.

Now he has written to the police to complain about what he claims are "disgraceful" charges which have left him angry and out of pocket.

"I think these fees are disgusting. It isn't a reasonable amount of money to charge someone for picking up a scooter.

"It's not like it was a broken-down car in the middle of nowhere at 3am on a rainy night. £200 in fees is well over a week's wages for me," he said.

But Sergeant Nicola Lamb, of North Yorkshire Police, who oversees the recovery operation, said the scheme was run according to national guidelines. She said the majority of vehicle owners pay for the costs, which are also set nationally, through their insurance company. There is a charge of £105 for recovering a vehicle of whatever size, from a moped to a caravan, and £12 a day for storage.

Depot manager Barry Horrabin, of S and H Recovery, in Leeman Road, York, said: "If an individual does find the cost outrageous, then obviously we may be able to negotiate at the time by talking and trying to get things right."

Have you had your car recovered by North Yorkshire police after it was involved in a crime? Call reporter Chris Greenwood on 01904 653051 or email chris.greenwood@ycp.co.uk about your experience.

Updated: 12:21 Tuesday, June 10, 2003