ASDA which last year pumped £1m into building Bromsgrove's first multi-storey car park and enhancing the front of its store, is upset at proposals to charge motorists to park on Sundays.

With the added benefit of free parking, Sundays are now one of the busiest days for the Market Street store.

Bosses fear parking charges could drive customers away to other supermarkets which have free parking and are not prepared to see their investment used against them..

In an exclusive statement yesterday to the Advertiser/Messenger a store spokesman said: "Like people in Bromsgrove we are not happy at the proposals to charge on Sundays. We are trying to arrange a meeting with the council to see if we can come to an alternative to the proposed charges.

Last Wednesday the district council's cabinet took the decision to impose Sunday charging for the first time since fees became compulsory 30 years ago.

However, it has to be ratified by the full council before it can be implemented in April.

If approved, it will follow an across the board increase in charges - also set to come in in April - plus the extended charging time from 7 to 10pm which came into operation last month.

Labour group leader, Councillor Peter McDonald, said: "This is just another tax increase from a poorly performing council that demands price increases but fails to deliver services."

Denying the council is targeting motorists, John Moody, council officer responsible for car parks, said the last review of charges had been three years ago and since then he had been pressing for Bromsgrove to come into line with other local authorities which already charge on Sundays."

Car parking fees in Bromsgrove is still low compared to many neighbouring towns he said.

Anita Mears, chairman of Bromsgrove traders' group - BroMark, said the proposals will not affect most shops as they do not open on Sundays.

But some traders thinking of opening on Sundays in the summer are having second thoughts it has emerged.

Deputy council leader, Cllr Margaret Taylor (Con-Linthurst), said revenue from the proposed increase would help keep council tax charges down.