DRIVERS in Marlborough will have to pay up to 30 per cent more from April after Kennet district councillors reviewed parking charges across the area.

Although it is two years since parking charges last went up, those choosing to park in the central area in the High Street will have to pay 65p an hour from April 1 compared to 50p now.

Those buying season tickets to park in The Green car park will have to shell out £689 plus VAT a year from April compared to the £600 plus VAT they pay now. Charges at all the other car parks in the town will rise from 40p an hour to 45p.

Coun Marian Hannaford said she was appalled at the increase in charges that Marlborough motorists were being expected to pay.

Philip Marsh, who has just handed over the presidency of Marlborough Chamber of Commerce to Rob Collings, said he believed Kennet thought shoppers had no alternative but to pay up.

Mr Marsh, who formerly ran a motor spares shop in Marlborough but now runs a car valet products franchise, said: "The previous president Anthony Wells had real go about parking charges going up and even whether there should be parking charges.

"The authorities, of course, look upon parking as a goose that lays the golden egg and it is too easy for them to sock the motorist. They know that people have to park and they have to pay."

As part of the review, drivers will be charged for parking in Devizes Market Place for the first time in its history. They will have to pay 30p for 30 minutes with a maximum one hour stay.