A FORMER Cabinet minister has joined the ranks of those who are protesting against controversial parking charges.

Former Health Secretary Frank Dobson said he was concerned at the impact of York's evening charges and restrictions on businesses in the city centre.

Mr Dobson, the one-time Labour contender for the Mayor of London, was born in the city and has a home in nearby Dunnington.

He has signed a petition against the charges - introduced by the city's Liberal-Democrat council earlier this year - and said he did not believe the charges had been introduced to help tackle congestion.

"It just seems to me that it has been done simply to raise money," he said.

"It isn't anything to do with congestion."

He said he had concerns about the inconvenience and safety issues raised by evening restrictions.

The city's executive member for planning and transport, Ann Reid, said Mr Dobson could better use his time pressing for York to get a better grant from central government.

"If he could persuade his Government to give York a fair deal, we might be able to reduce some of these charges," she said.

A public meeting about the city's parking charges will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, at the Priory Street Community Centre.