A village centre parking scheme has been altered after complaints from residents and traders.

Horsham Council is this month expected to agree to turn part of a short-stay car park in Steyning into long-term parking for people working in the village.

The move comes five months after a four-hour parking disc scheme was introduced at the 100-space Newmans Gardens to try to encourage shoppers to visit.

Potential shoppers said they were put off using the village because the car park was full of vehicles belonging to village centre workers.

A 12-month trial scheme was then introduced. Drivers had to pick up a free disc from village shops and could only use the car park for up to four hours on Mondays to Fridays between 8am and 6pm.

The move angered some traders who said workers could not find other places to park and residents were upset that parked cars were clogging up side roads instead.

Almost six months after the trial began, the council has found there are 30 to 40 empty spaces at the car park each day, while more drivers park in Tanyard Lane and Breach Close, causing problems for residents.

In a bid to ease the problem on the roads, the council is planning to convert the southern section of the car park to long-stay use, with up to 32 spaces.

Steyning Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the move.

A spokesman said: "Having the split use of the car park would seem to be the best option.

"There are spaces available for shoppers while workers have better access for their cars.

"It probably won't please everybody, but at least it is something and we shall see how it works."

The scheme will be monitored for the next six months before being reviewed for a second time.