PLANS to introduce car parking charges at Andover War Memorial Hospital have been delayed again.

Meanwhile some hospital staff are claiming their introduction would be tantamount to a pay cut.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust wants the Andover hospital to follow the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in Winchester and charge staff £1 a day to park their car.

The charges were due to come into force on 1 October - to coincide with an increase in charges at Winchester - but after a storm of criticism the date was deferred to 1 November.

But now that date has been deferred again.

Rod Halls, chief executive of Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust said they would let Andover staff know the new date when charges are set to be introduced.

However Susan Turner, physiotherapist and staff representative at Andover Hospital, said staff were feeling vulnerable and threatened.

In her opinion the money generated from the proposed charges wasn't worth the distress it was causing.

A nurse who wished to remain anonymous confessed she's thinking of quitting her job.

She said: "I pay £300 a month creche costs and with other expenses on top, it's making me think it's not worth coming to work."

Another nurse added: "Everyone feels the same! We're still waiting for a pay rise but the car park charges are effectively a pay cut."

But Rod Halls said: "Many hospitals like Andover around the country do make a charge for parking.

"However, the charges are still under discussion.

"Most staff should have had their pay rises already as a result of staff appraisals. The charge is intended to bring about some equity within the trust because so many staff already pay for parking.

"It is also intended to cover the costs of improvements - resurfacing, lighting, enhanced security - to the car parking."