Visitors to Holt face another car parking blow after a fee hike hits two of the town's central sites.

In the same week North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) increased its car parking charges, residents and visitors noticed an increase in parking fees at Budgens of Holt - from 70p to �1 per hour.

And from May 1 another fee of �2 per hour (for a maximum of three hours) is being introduced to the Bakers and Larners site which was previously free.

Managing director Michael Baker said the decision to increase the charges at Budgens was out of his hands as it is part of the terms of the original planning agreement with NNDC.

'It is important to emphasis though that all of our customers get free parking,' he added.

Customers at the moment can pay to stay on the site for a maximum of two hours and will receive the first hour back if they spend more than �5 in store.

A similar scheme will be introduced at the Bakers and Larners site to protect its customers following 'abuse' of the site, according to Mr Baker.

He added: 'We have in the town centre of Holt a 56 space car park and we have to pay rates on it. It's in a prime position and it is being abused by a lot of people who are parking there to do their shopping in the town. We are putting a charge on to protect our own customers.

'At the moment our customers are suffering because our car park is full. We are trying to make life easier for all of our customers.'