Motorists will have to pay almost double to use Brighton's Park and Ride Scheme from next month.

Brighton and Hove Council is increasing the cost of using the service, which runs from Withdean, from £1.20 to £2.

The move is part of cost cutting measures forced upon the council after it retendered all its bus routes in the summer and found it needed an extra £400,000 to maintain the same level of service.

Unable to make up the shortfall, the council has already made cuts to night and Sunday services on unprofitable routes.

But Brighton and Hove Council denies it is being unfair on motorists.

A council spokeswoman said:"Had we not cut our subsidy of the park and ride we would probably have had to reduce another bus service.

"This is all about making it fair. We felt if we had to make cuts to the bus service, we also had to reduce the subsidy to the park and ride.

"It is going up to £2 but if you think about it, anyone going shopping in town would not be able to park in the centre of Brighton for less. It is also lower than the cost of a return bus fare into town."