Mid Sussex car Parking charges are to soar as councillors try to attract shoppers instead of commuters.

Commuters and long-term parkers will pay more than double the current rate if they stay more than four hours.

Parking for up to an hour will increase from 30p to 40p, for two hours from 40p to 60p and for up to four hours from 60p to £1.

Short-term parking charges will rise by between 30 and 70 per cent, while annual season tickets will more than double in price, from £337 to £750.

Mid Sussex District Council's ruling Cabinet agreed the changes last night.

They said their main aim was to get shoppers into the towns and not commuters.

Resident Sandra Verrinder, of Mill Road, Burgess Hill, who has no parking outside her house, said: "It's absolutely disgusting. If they are trying to stop people using car parks they are going the right way about it.

"For me it is not worth my while parking there. If it is £24 a week I might as well risk a £30 fine and park on yellow lines outside my house."

The new fees will come into force in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.

Despite the council's intentions, some traders fear they will kill town centre shopping.

Howard Burrell, of Nursery World in Church Road, Burgess Hill, said: "My feeling is car parks are an amenity and should be free. With a town struggling like Burgess Hill there is all the more reason to make the car parks free.

"Because supermarkets are huge multi-million pound businesses they can provide free car parking. Smaller businesses that haven't got the clout to do similar are at the behest of the local council.

A driver, who did not wish to be named, branded the price hike "ridiculous".

He said: "They are going to lose all the trade in the town centres. It is cheaper to pay in Crawley."

Council officer Iain Burton said: "The council has not made any substantial changes to car park charges since it took over in 1997.

"The Government expects district councils to generate income through car parks whether we like it or not.