MOTORISTS in Darlington will be able to benefit from a high-tech solution to a long-standing problem from today.

Instead of needing to find loose change for the parking meter or dashing back with heavy shopping before their ticket runs out, drivers can use their mobile phones to pay for parking in Darlington town centre.

Darlington Borough Council has become the first in the North-East to introduce the pay by phone system, and is hoping it will prove a hit with shoppers.

A similar scheme exists in York, and other councils are fast following suit.

Drivers must register their credit or debit card details and car registration number by either calling 0870-0662-501 or logging on to www.verrus.com the first time they use the system.

On subsequent occasions, they can either call the same number or text 07950-080201 with their car park location number - found on signs in car parks - and how long they want to stay.

Anyone wishing to extend their stay can phone from wherever they are in the town - without disrupting their visit to put more money in a meter.

However, convenience will come at a price, as the system will be subject to service charges.

During the first six months of the scheme, drivers will pay no additional service charge, but from next March motorists will have to pay an extra 20p on parking costing more than £2 and an additional 10p on parking costing less than £2.

A 10p charge will also be made if drivers extend their parking or if they request a text to remind them when their parking is about to expire. Receipts can be printed from a user's on-line account.

David Lyonette, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "This is an innovative scheme which is all about giving motorists an extra option when it comes to paying for their parking.

"Of course, this will not be replacing the existing parking meter system, so people wanting to continue to pay in that way can do so."

For more information about paying for parking by phone, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/pay byphone, or call 01325-388799.