A PROLIFIC Dover car clamper will "switch to ticketing" after new rules banning wheel clamping on private land were unveiled.

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

Last week the Coalition announced plans to tear up the Labour Government's proposals to regulate the industry in favour of an outright ban.

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

The 2,150 existing clamping licences will be revoked and anyone who continues to use an immobiliser on private land will face a massive 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 with it 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 a car.

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, with the people they clamp having no right of independent appeal.

The last Government announced plans in November to tighten the rules by bringing in jail terms of up to five years for those who refused to comply

On taking office, the Coalition reviewed the situation and decided on an outright ban which will now be included in the Freedom Bill in November.

The ban will only apply 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.