Eastleigh residents can finally park outside their own homes without having to fight for a space thanks to an extension of parking zone hours.

Council chiefs have added an extra two hours in the evening to controlled parking zones in six residential hot spots within the town centre.

The zones will now operate from 8am-8pm instead of just 6pm.

Anyone caught parking in controlled parking areas without a permit during operating hours faces a fixed penalty fine of £60.

Zones affected are:

Newtown area, Toynbee Road and Mill Street.

Town centre roads between Leigh Road and Southampton Road up as far as Doncaster Road.

Dutton Lane and Barton Road.

Campbell Road.

The two-hour difference will give a considerable number of permit holders returning home from work after 6pm the chance to find a space right outside, or much nearer to their own home.

The changes have been made in preparation of the council taking over parking enforcement throughout the borough from the police in October.

Councillor Steve Sollitt, chairman of the Eastleigh Council's Eastleigh Local Area Committee, said: "There is increasing pressure on parking in and around the town's residential streets. It is important that residents are given priority for parking."

The changes also mean that residents of future developments in controlled parking zones in Eastleigh will not be entitled to parking permits.