A BOYCOTTING campaign has been launched at two car parks in Malvern in protest at the pay and display charges introduced last week.

Local resident Ron Harris has put up signs calling for people to avoid using the car parks in Newtown Road.

The signs, in the windows of shop and houses in Newtown Road, call on people to boycott the car parks saying: "Once you start paying to park here you will always pay".

Mr Harris said the charges, introduced by Malvern Hills District Council, would encourage more people to park in the street, making it dangerous for children to cross the road.

"The other thing I want to know is why almost every car park in Malvern has been made pay and display except the council's own staff car parks such as The Council House, Brunel and Highlea where they could get a much higher revenue?" he asked.

Paul Sobczyk, head of client services at MHDC, said that it was council policy.

"It's part of our conditions of service. They are just staff car parks like any other organisation, that's how it is," he said.

Coun Whinray Coates, chairman of the resources committee, said she did not think council car parks should be made pay and display.

"But I'm not in favour of paying for car parks anywhere," she said.

"If this council wishes to encourage people into the town they shouldn't be charging at their car parks."