ONE of Shepway's most prolific car clampers will "switch to ticketing" after new rules banning wheel clamping on private land were announced.

Able Securities, which patrols car parks across Folkestone, Hythe and Ashford, as well as Dover and Deal, will be hugely affected by the legislation when it comes in next year.

Last week, the coalition announced plans to tear up the Labour's proposals to regulate the industry and instead to go for an outright ban.

It comes after 1.5 million motorists were snared in 2009 by ruthless clamping firms as part of the £1bn industry.

The 2,150 existing clamping licences will be revoked and anyone who continues to use an immobiliser on private land will face a fine or jail.

A spokesman for Dover-based Able Securities said: "We'll be OK for the rest of this year but, when the new rules come in, which is January, I think, we will have to switch to ticketing instead of clamping.

"The people we work for, the owners of private car parks, are peeved, though, because it will mean people might start parking anywhere and everywhere."

The new rules will mean only police or councils will be allowed to clamp or tow away cars.

AA president Edmund King said the plans were "a victory for justice and common sense".

Currently, those working on private land have operated largely unregulated and the people they clamp have no right of independent appeal.

The last government announced in November plans to tighten the rules by bringing in jail terms of up to five years for those who refused to comply. But the coalition has reviewed the situation and decided on an outright ban which will now be included in the Freedom Bill in November.

The ban will apply only to private sites, which will still be allowed to charge motorists a fee by using ticket systems.

Landowners such as small businesses and church halls who want drivers to keep out will be expected to fit gates or barriers.

Use of wheel clamps and immobilisers to be banned on private land.

Anybody caught clamping could face a £5,000 fine or jail.

Landowners can charge for parking but must agree a code of conduct.

Standard charge should not exceed £75.

Drivers may appeal to an independent tribunal.