A Bristol pensioner who gave up driving and sold his car was still shelling out for breakdown cover until the Evening Post stepped in.

Ernest Fletcher, 82, had AA membership for more than 36 years and renewed his policy annually on a rolling basis.

His membership had just been renewed when he decided to stop driving.

He tried to cancel the subscription, assuming he would qualify for a refund for the portion of the year that would go unused, but he was shocked to find he wouldn't automatically receive any rebate for the £196 he had paid.

Mr Fletcher, who lives in Portbury Walk, Shirehampton, said: "I wanted to cancel it as it has only just been paid. I've stopped driving now and sold my car but I couldn't believe that I wouldn't get a refund for the rest of the year. I've been a member of the AA for such a long time, well over 30 years, and never had a problem but now they told me they don't do refunds anymore."

Pete Barnao, spokesman for the AA, said: "As with the purchase of a wide range of other goods and services, the law stipulates a 14-day 'cooling-off' period during which customers can choose to cancel their purchase. This period also applies to the renewal of breakdown cover, and beyond this period the AA is under no obligation to provide a refund. This is also made clear to customers in our terms and conditions."

After renewing the membership on June 25, Mr Fletcher, who used to work in a bakery, had decided to cancel his membership on August 6, too late to qualify for the statutory 14-day period. But Mr Fletcher was thrilled to get a rebate thanks to the Evening Post.

Mr Barnao said: "In recognition of Mr Fletcher's loyalty to the AA over many years we have arranged to make an exceptional, one-off goodwill payment to him, equivalent to the unused portion of his membership."

"I just didn't realise this was the case, it must be in the small print – it shows you should read it carefully. I'm very grateful for the refund," added Mr Fletcher.