Seeking advice on what to do about a payment charge notice my wife received recently while driving my car - I am the registered keeper.

Several days ago my wife shopped at the local Asda store. There are no parking restrictions in force so she was able to park the car and enter the shop without obtaining a ticket. On returning to the car, she found an adjacent vehicle had damaged the passenger door and left the scene. Following this incident, she left the Asda car park at 2.00pm and drove a short distance to a retail park, arriving at 2.05pm. Having not used this car park for several years, and upset by the damage to the car, she failed to notice the parking restrictions in force and did not obtain a ticket, instead entering one of the retail outlets directly. Had she obtained a ticket, she would have been entitled to a period of free parking at the site. She left the retail outlet at 2.20pm - with a receipt for goods purchased - and left the car park.

Later that evening I found a Parking Charge Notice attached to the windscreen. This was issued by Premier Parking Services (PPS) at 2.08pm - three minutes after my wife arrived at the retail park. The notice states the 'Reason' as No Valid Ticket Displayed and 'Time vehicle was first seen in contravention' is marked N/A. One can only assume PPS enforcement staff look for people who do not purchase a ticket and apply charge notices without any attempt to inform them of their breach of contract. The £100 charge is payable within 28 days, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. I understand that new legislation renders me, the registered keeper of the vehicle, liable for the charge and additional costs if payment is not made within the maximum 28 day period. I also understand that should I fail to pay, the matter may eventually go to court.

I'm not totally clear on what effect recent legislation has, and would like advice on what to do next. It would appear I can either

a) Pay the £60 charge and be done with it,

b) Contact PPS and pay a small amount as final settlement on the grounds that £60 is a wholly disproportionate charge, and state I will not respond to any subsequent letters or demands for payment.

c) Say nothing and pay nothing, then ignore all related correspondence unless it is addressed from the county court