Office and shop workers in Great Yarmouth are to be hit by an increase in car park charges after borough councillors voted for a hike in season ticket prices.

Season ticket prices will rise from �55 to �70 per calendar month for all town centre car parks except Fullers Hill, costing commuters and regular visitors an extra �180 per year.

At Fullers Hill, season ticket prices will rise from �25 per month to �30, with all changes coming into play at the start of the new financial year in April.

The new set of charges was proposed by Charles Reynolds, cabinet member for tourism and parking, and given the green light at last night's full council meeting.

But the increase has been criticised by opposition councillors.

Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour Group, said: 'At a time of pay restraint and high inflation, this is not the time to hit both office and shop workers - many of whom will be on the minimum wage - with any increase at all.

'Any additional monies that these season ticket holders are asked to pay could mean monies lost to other traders in the town at a time when town centre retailers are suffering a downturn in trade.'

But leader of the council Steve Ames defended the new season ticket prices, adding: 'I don't think it's a big increase.'

The revised parking charges will also see Caister car park's summer tariff fall from 60p to 50p per hour 'in recognition that the surface of the car park could be better'.

And pay and display machines, which a council report says are 'susceptible to regular failure', will be replaced with new machines which accept credit cards.

Funding for the new machines is to come from a bid under the council's capital programme.

The council is als to trial new 72 hour car park passes as a step-change towards introducing eight-day 'rover' car park passes aimed at tourists.

The 72 hour passes will be sold for �10 from the seafront tourist information centre and will be valid from midday on a Friday to midday on a Monday.