FURIOUS workers say the axeing of 400 free car parking spaces in Darlington has left them with a parking headache.

Darlington Borough Council introduced long-stay parking charges at seven of its car parks last month.

The authority said it wanted to encourage more people to visit the town to boost trade.

Since the charges were introduced last week, the majority of car parks have remained relatively empty, when previously they were full. The car parks affected are at Chesnut Street, Park Lane, Parkgate, Hird Street, Hargreave Terrace, Garden Street, Archer Street and Kendrew Street.

People who work in the town centre, and whose employers do not provide parking, say they have been worse-hit because they have had to find other places to leave their vehicles.

One town centre worker, who did not wish to be named, said she used to use the Garden Street car park until it was changed to short stay parking.

"We bring money into the town because we shop and eat during our lunch hours, but we are being penalised," she said.

"The changes mean people like myself have to park on the street outside people's homes, and that is not fair to them."

Councillor Heather Scott said she would be taking the issue up with council officers.

"The council said it was doing this to maximise income but, so far, it plainly hasn't worked," she said.

"We want to attract more businesses into Darlington, as well as shoppers. But they won't come if there is nowhere for their employees to park."

A spokesman for the council said it was far too early to judge whether the car parking changes had been successful.

"We only introduced them last Monday and we should wait three to four months before we look at the situation," he said