Caravanning holidaymakers causing tailbacks are not unusual – but a delay was sparked inside a holiday park yesterday after an angry tourist blockaded a gate.

Ron Denston caused chaos after refusing to pay extra for staying beyond the 10am departure time.

He had asked staff at five-star Home Farm Holiday Park, Burnham-on-Sea, to waive the rule because his wife had broken her ankle before their holiday started and was not able to help him pack up and take down their caravan's awning.

He says he was told he could have until noon to leave.

But he arrived at the exit barrier at around 12.45pm and says he was told he must pay £5.

He refused, and as other departing holidaymakers waited behind him, Mr Denston urged park staff to relent.

They declined and he said later it was two hours before staff said someone had paid the £5 for him and he could go.

Mr Denston, 60, an electrical contractor, headed home to Birmingham with his wife, Christina, 42, whose leg was in plaster, and their daughter, Lily-Rose, eight.

He said: "People were getting ratty. Some drivers went inside to see the staff and say it was unfair.

"Ninety-nine per cent were on my side. The funny thing is I fit barriers and gates and I could have opened the barrier easily but I wouldn't do that.

"But it was a really hot day and my wife and daughter were getting hot in the car as we waited.

"I think our treatment was shocking. We came down with two other caravanners and we reckon the three of us spent at least £3,000 in the park, with swimming and nightclubs and drinks.

"My wife had broken her ankle before we came on holiday and when it came to packing up I couldn't do it so easily on my own. It takes two people a couple of hours.

"I was told as long as I left by noon it would be fine. I was 45 minutes late and they wanted £5. They just wouldn't open the barrier. I think they just got stubborn, but it was a point of principle for me."

Steve Atkinson, park manager, said later: "Other holidaymakers could get out. They used another exit. He was a very rude man and we did try to accommodate him.

"His booking finished at 10am; he could have paid for a day extension, which costs £4.50 with £1 back when you leave, which would have given them until 6pm.

"It is quite clear. If you park in an NCP car park you will perhaps have 10 minutes to get back to your car, but if you are half an hour late you have to pay up.

"He walked into my office at five minutes to one and threw the card at a colleague and was very aggressive.

"Just because there is only one of you to pack up does not mean that it has to take so much longer. We have people who come and stay on their own."