OUTRAGED Kingfisher Centre shoppers have been left reeling following a sudden hike in car park charges.

Certain prices for multi-storey Car Parks 1,2,3 and 4 will increase from Monday, including a 40p rise for people visiting the centre for up to two hours.

The scale of the charges has been changed from a fee for every hour spent in the centre to £1 for up to one hour, £2 for one to four hours, £2 for four to five hours and £3.50 for more than five hours.

The move has left shoppers angry and some have said they will think twice before visiting the centre.

One shopper, who did not want to be named, said: "I am really angry about it and I can't believe they have put it up from 60p to £1 if you shop for more than an hour.

"I thought they were trying to get people interested in visiting the centre, not drive them away.

"I usually come in twice a week but now I will only come in once a week, I can get the other things I want from elsewhere."

Joan Hanford, of Headless Cross, said: "It is disgusting. We are local people and we shouldn't have to pay to come shopping anyway."

Lodge Park couple Peter and Rita Leonard visit the centre every day and said the jump was too much.

A spokesman for centre owners Thornfield said: "The charges are going up 10p to 60p for an hour and £1 for four hours but the prices still remain the cheapest in the region.

"The last increase was in 1996 which is more than four years ago. The car parks do not make any profit and they actually run at a substantial loss.

"We have rates and the car parks are currently being refurbished and upgraded."