Traders are furious at new rules which mean they must pay to park in a town centre.

Charges are being introduced for works vehicles in Bognor's controlled parking zone.

It means delivery men will have to pay to unload their vans outside shops and builders who store equipment in their vehicles will also be hit.

Businesses say the parking permit fees are an additional tax and will be damaging.

Nick Stuart-Nicolson, president of Bognor Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is something we're not at all happy about.

"Any extra costs for the traders will probably push their prices up and be passed on to the customer.

"It is the town centre and people need to be able to park outside the shops sometimes to get work carried out.

"This can't be a good thing and it's going to affect the traders badly.

"We've just had a battle to get fees reduced in the car parks and we don't need more trouble over on-street parking."

Paul Wells, vice chairman of the chamber and an Arun district councillor, added: "This is totally unacceptable from the traders' point of view.

"Businesses often need to be able to park at the side of the road and they don't want to have to pay to do it.

"Our business rates have already shot up this year - mine has gone up 13 per cent - and it's a bit of a tall order for the county council to add this."

Tradesmen and commercial vehicles currently get dispensation notices for free.

The notices allow them to use permit holder bays for easier access to their goods and tools.

Fees are being introduced by West Sussex County Council because of a change in the way permits are issued.

The county council is in charge of the controlled parking zone but gets other authorities to manage it.

It will be switching responsibility for handing out traders' dispensation notices from Sussex Police to Arun District Council on Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton, West Sussex councillor responsible for Highways and Transport, argued it was for the better.

He said: "There are also obvious overall administrative benefits because the district council is already responsible for the issue of residents' permits."

There will be a trial period of six months.

A dispensation notice will cost £1 per day or £5 for a six-day week.

Sussex Police will ensure the notices are not being misused and will remain responsible for issuing dispensation notices for parking on double yellow lines and other areas of the town centre where parking is not usually allowed.

Parking clampdowns will be made outside Bognor Town Hall.

People parking for more than 20 minutes outside will be given a fixed penalty charge of up to £120 from Sunday.

Those visiting the town hall or disabled drivers will not be affected.

Will the new parking regulations affect trade in Bognor? Have your say below.