Motoring groups have accused overzealous councils of exploiting drivers in areas where they have taken over responsibility for enforcing Parking rules.

The Association of British Drivers said local authorities such as Brighton and Hove City Council were profiting from the misery of motorists.

Spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie said: "These authorities are out to make a quick buck."

The council denied the claim and insisted the new system helped shoppers, drivers, emergency services and businesses.

Since NCP took over responsibility for issuing tickets from the police last year, more tickets have been issued in Brighton and Hove than anywhere else in England, except Manchester.

More than 100,000 tickets were issued by the city's parking attendants in the last financial year, raising £3 million in fines.

Mr McArthur-Christie said old-style traffic wardens were more concerned about keeping traffic moving but council contractors were being deployed to make a profit.

He said: "They are now pursuing the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law and some groups are being penalised.

"Drivers have been made an easy target."

Lloyd Hampshire, of the Brighton and Hove pressure group Traders Against Parking Persecution (Tapp), said: "We are concerned the council is making an awful lot of money from the people of Brighton and Hove.

"We provide a service and we are being slaughtered by costs and inconvenience."

Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "We are not profiteering. The reason for doing it is to improve parking within the city and improve traffic flow."