HUNDREDS of names of Winchester people have been gathered in a last-ditch attempt to stop big increases in the cost of parking permits.

Residents in Hyde have collected nearly 300 signatures on a petition presented to the city council this week.

The campaign has been in response to the city council plans to increase the cost of residents''parking permits by up to 133 per cent.

The council says the cost of the permits, first introduced in 1996, has not kept pace with inflation and the increase is needed to cover the cost of the service.

John Bourne, of Arlington Place, said: "We have 289 signatures in a short time. It shows the strength of feeling.

"If the council wants to play catch up with the charges they should do it in a more gradual fashion."

Justine Field, of King Alfred Terrace, has been knocking on doors in the neighbourhood. She explained why people were angry: "It's the amount of the increase for no apparent reason. It's crazy. If the increases were staggered a bit more that would be more reasonable."

Ms Field said permits did not guarantee parking spaces in the evening or on Sundays. In recent weeks events such as the farmers' market and triathlon at the River Park Leisure Centre have generated extra traffic to clog the streets.

An estimated 3,000 households living in and around the city centre will be affected by the changes along with those who use 4,755 visitor permits every year.

Currently residents pay £30 for two permits but under the new scheme they will pay £70 - a hike of 133 per cent. The cost of businesses' permits will climb from £200 to £300.

The council said it would be only the second time that charges had been put up since the scheme was introduced in 1996 and that the increases were needed to cover the cost of issuing and policing permits. The rises are due to be confirmed by the next meeting of the city council Cabinet.