MOTORISTS in south Oxfordshire are bracing themselves for the first rise in parking charges in five years.

The district council is to raise its parking fees by 10p across the board with effect from April 1.

And for those outstaying their welcome, the current £60 charge rises to £70 but is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The one-hour free parking concession stays except in Wallingford's Goldsmiths Lane, where free parking for the first two hours has been kept.

In a report, head of environmental services John Backley said: "The policy is for car parking to be self-financing, to encourage people to shop locally, to have fees competitive with car parks run by neighbouring authorities and to offer season tickets at reduced rates to support local shops and businesses."

He said that if prices did not rise the car parks would start losing money by 2009.

Up to two hours parking will rise to 80p, up to three hours to £1.50 and up to five hours £1.80.

There are no changes to charges at smaller car parks at Church Road in Wheatley, Mill Stream in Benson, High Street Chinnor and Culham Lock.