Totton has said a resounding "no" to car parking charges amid fears they would damage the town centre's trade.

George Dart, chairman of the town council's planning and transport advisory committee, said the abolition of free parking could "virtually destroy" the weekly market.

Members were discussing the district council's decision to devise a new transport strategy, which is likely to include parking charges.

A report to the committee said: "Totton is marginal in shopping terms and vulnerable to any actions that could affect the number of shoppers.

"The Wednesday market is suffering in line with national trends.

"Alternatives to the market, including Lidl, Pound Stretchers and others at the retail park, are only a few hundred metres away and offer unlimited free parking."

The report said Totton did not suffer from a shortage of parking spaces.

It claimed car parks were only 53 per cent full on Mondays and only 66 per cent full on Wednesdays, when 125 spaces were occupied by the market.

"In traffic management terms it would be hard to justify anything radical - and it's essential no action is taken that could prejudice the viability of shopping in the town," added the report.

Town clerk Derek Biggs told the committee: "I don't think we should do anything that would hit short-term parking.

"There is always spare capacity in Totton car parks. Charges should not be introduced because there would be no benefit."

Mr Biggs stressed that the district council was willing to adopt a flexible approach to traffic management.

He said: "They're prepared to look at various parts of the district in various ways. Even within individual towns it might be possible to introduce different solutions in different areas."

Councillors said a three-hour limit should be imposed in the Winsor Road and civic centre car parks.