Quick-thinking South Wales Echo reporter Nick Sharpe proved that you're never off-duty when his eagle eyes earned him a front page splash.

Trainee reporter Nick was taking an early hours stroll home in Cardiff after a Sunday night out with his girlfriend when he spotted a South Wales Police patrol car parked on double yellow lines outside a chip shop - with the officer inside ordering a take-away.

Unfortunately for the hungry officer, Nick was carrying a disposable camera and his quick pic of the illegally parked Volvo ended up on the front page of the paper alongside the headline "CHIP SHOP COP FURY".

The poor parking was criticised by the AA, driving campaigners and outraged Echo readers.

And Chief Inspector Adrian Gough actually paid a personal visit to the Trinity Mirror title's city centre offices to express his own disappointment.

Nick (pictured) said: "My girlfriend thought that taking the picture was cruel and, for a moment, I did. But then I thought what the hell - he'd have collared me with a £30 fine so this was just a case of turning the tables."

But the fun wasn't over for Nick. After the original story ran, an anonymous tip-off sent him scuttling to Cardiff Magistrates' Court where he caught on camera another illegally parked officer - this time using a disabled bay as his own personal space.

Head of News Nick Machin said: "Nick may be one of our most junior reporters but he has a nose for news you just can't beat."

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk