A vicar has asked if his congregation can be exempt from Sunday parking charges.

Cherwell District Council brought the new charges in during April as more shops in Banbury were opening for trade on Sundays.

But Father Mervyn Tower, of St John the Evangelist Church, has asked the council to look again at the issue and has highlighted the plight of two tourists who came to the town from Scotland and were fined £50 for not buying a parking ticket.

Fr Tower said: "I think that people coming to church should not be penalised. I understand why charges are made by the council, but to directly penalise people who come to church is not acceptable.

"It causes hurt, anger and upset. Parking charges are not attractive to anyone."

Iain MacRae and his wife Anne, from Perthshire, were parked in South Bar car park while on holiday in Nethercote, but were unaware there were parking charges on Sundays.

The couple visited Banbury in 1999 and parked in the same car park for free on a Sunday.

Mr MacRae, 58, said: "The car park was deserted and I didn't think to read the sign. In car parks in other places, like in Stratford-Upon-Avon, there are signs warning you of charges on Sundays."

Kieron Mallon, district council cabinet member for the environment, said: "I am aware there are still some concerns with reference to Sunday car parking, particularly areas in front of churches.

"I have asked the executive and officers to look into exemptions for genuine church-goers. I am awaiting feedback from officers."

"The new charges only took effect in April, I understand there was a publicity campaign so the locals knew, put tourists and visitors are left high and dry. At least in the first year there should be some provision for visitors.

"The fine should not be as high on Sunday as in the week there is far more demand for parking."

Mr MacRae wrote to the chairman of Cherwell District Council, Eric Heath, twice but was not able to have the fine cancelled.

Mr Heath said: "We have given him all the information on Sunday parking. It's a system that has been put in place and will be reviewed in 12 months. There's no way of finding a reason not to go ahead with the fine."