Parking charges in Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon look set to go up next year to meet a deficit of up to £131,000 in car park income.

The Vale of White Horse District Council is facing a loss in its car park accounts this year, and is examining ways of recovering the cash.

One option is to increase parking charges, but by how much is not yet clear. The council has over-estimated the amount of income its car parks would generate. A combination of factors has been blamed, including a delay in implementing increases two years ago.

Council leader Paul Bizzell said: "It looks as if we will under-achieve, but it is too early in the year to tell.

"It might be a shortfall of £80,000 or as much as £131,000, so until we get a clearer picture later in the year we are deferring a decision on what action we should take." The council will examine various options, including taking money from reserve funds, reducing spending on car parks, or raising parking fees.

Mr Bizzell said some charges might have to go up, while others could come down.

Much depended on the total cost of providing parking services, the cost of repairs, staff and health and safety regulations.

He added: "Some changes we have made at the multi-storey car park in Abingdon, including the introduction of pay and display, have reduced staff costs.

"If we can find that sort of saving elsewhere, we may not have to put up parking charges."