An email spreading rumours about an incident which allegedly took place in The Oracle car park is being investigated by police as a possible scam. The email, which has been doing the rounds across Reading and beyond, is intended for women who use the shopping centre’s car park.

It tells of a girl, 'a friend of a cousin', who managed to get a parking spot on a Saturday afternoon without having to queue for half an hour.

Thames Valley Police said it had no record of anyone managing to find a parking spot at this time. Spokesman Adam Fisher added: "We believe this is an email scam perpetuated by parking attendents trying to lure people into Southamton Street so that they can ticket them for being stationary on double yellow lines."