Parking candidates are planning to stand in next year's city council elections to give voters a chance to voice their feelings about increased regulation.

Two Brighton pressure groups, The People's Parking Protest and Traders Against Parking Persecution, are considering putting up candidates in key city centre wards at next May's Brighton and Hove City Council elections.

Both groups feel the council has failed to consider the needs of residents and traders by employing National Car Parks to enforce the regulations.

There is also anger over the introduction of a £3 waiver charge each time a trader needs to park in a restricted area while working.

For the groups' names to appear on ballot papers, they would both have to be registered with the Electoral Commission for a fee of £150.

Alternatively, candidates from both organisations could stand as Independents with manifestos detailing their policies towards the parking.

Steve Percy, founded The People's Parking Protest because he was fed up with the parking situation in the Seven Dials area o close to Brighton station.

Mr Percy, 65, said: "I am definitely thinking of standing. A lot of people have asked me to. I may stand as an Independent in the central ward of St Peter's and North Laine, which is the area where I have my shop or I might register as the People's Parking Protest."

Roger McArthur, of the Traders Against Parking Persecution, said: "I would love to have a go. We have even been offered money from fed up residents to to put up candidates. Parking will be a real issue at next May's elections in the city."

TAPP organised a successful demonstration through the city with a convoy of 200 vans earlier this month.

At a meeting on Tuesday they decided to step up their campaign by bringing the city centre to a standstill with a slow moving convoy of 500 vehicles unless the council meets their demands.

Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Brighton and Hove City Council, whose party has been critical of the way the Labour-controlled council has dealt with parking matters welcomed additional candidates contesting elections.

He said: "They always add to the debate and increase interest. But the problem with single issue parties is that they are just single issue parties, whereas the main parties encompass all sorts of policies.

"The Liberal Democrats agree with much of what these parking protest groups stand for."