GLASGOW City Council has backed-down over plans to fine a man for driving in a bus lane as he rushed to his dying mother-in-law's bedside on Christmas Day.

An appeal hearing decided to throw out Jack Wilson's fine given his harrowing circumstances.

The decision was branded "a victory for common sense" and comes the day after the council announced it will not fine people who drive in bus lanes this Christmas Day or New Year's Day - when there are no buses on the road.

In a week-long series of articles the Evening Times highlighted a number of issues related to bus lanes.

Last week we told how Jack Wilson and his wife Mary, who live in West Yorkshire, abandoned their Christmas plans and made the 220-mile trip north on December 25 to visit the elderly relative who was seriously ill.

The couple, originally from the city but now live in Leeds, were anxious to get to the 86-year-old's bedside at her Drumchapel care home and drove through the bus lane on Great Western Road, which is only operational during rush hour.

Mrs Bateman sadly passed away two days later.

And after Mr and Mrs Wilson returned home, they received a penalty notice for £60 from Glasgow City Council.

Mr Wilson, 65, emailed the council to appeal the fine on January 21 and also sent them a copy of Mrs Bateman's death certificate.

He received an email saying he would have a response within 20 days. But six weeks later he had heard nothing from the council.

Officials decided at a meeting on Tuesday to uphold his appeal.

Mr Wilson said he and his family was "absolutely delighted".

He said: "For us it was never about the money but the principle of it.

"I want to thank the Evening Times for highlighting my case and the issue of people being fined for driving in bus lanes on days when there are no buses on the road."

Councillor Malcolm Balfour, a former bus driver, took up Mr Wilson's case and had urged the council to back down over the fine.

He told the Evening Times: "This is definitely a victory for common sense and common decency.

"The fine should never have been carried forward in the first place.

"Given Mr Wilson's circumstances, this was totally inconsiderate.

"But it is good to see the council showed some belated Christmas spirit."

We previously told how council Scrooges nabbed 370 motorists driving in bus lanes on Christmas and New Year's Day, despite no buses being on the roads.

The local authority stands to make at least £11,100 from the fines over the two days.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "An appeals panel has cancelled the penalty charge notice due to evidence outlining mitigating circumstances.

"The panel reviews cases which may have significant mitigating circumstances."

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk