WORKERS fear they will be hit in the pocket if charges are introduced for using the last big free car park in Durham.

Durham County Council's 800-space car park, at County Hall, has been the city's biggest free parking area since charges were introduced at Durham Police's Aykley Heads headquarters and at Durham University.

But with a park-and-ride scheme designed to keep long-stay parkers out of the city centre, due to start at the end of the year, the council has established up a working group to look at the pros and cons of charging.

The local branch of the union Unison says its members - some of whom need their cars for work - are worried about the potential cost.

About 1,500 staff are based at County Hall, and a council spokesman said workers and visitors were having problems finding a parking space.

Charging was one option being looked at by the working party examining the issues.

"This would not only bring the council in line with other large employers in and around this part of the city, but would also encourage more people to use public transport and other less environmentally-damaging methods of travel than relying upon their cars," said the council spokesman.

"We have delayed looking at this until a range of alternative travel options was in place, particularly the three park-and-ride sites which are being built on the outskirts of the city.

"Council employees are currently being asked for their views on what can be done to improve parking at County Hall, including charging."

Paul Thompson, joint branch secretary of Unison, said: "Some people have described it as a pay cut.

"There is an issue about the level of charging. If you introduce charging, at whatever level, with the aim of discouraging people from bringing their cars to work, it will do that.

"For some, it will be on the basis that they can't afford it, but if they require their cars for their job, that is an issue for the county council."

He added that there were issues about whether workers would be able to access park-and-ride and arrangements for disabled employees.