The end of free on-street parking in Winchester is nigh with the city council set to charge for 142 places.

Councillors endorsed a proposal for on-street charges at Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

They rejected a last-ditch attempt by Tory councillor, Barry Lipscomb, to have a first 15 or 30 minutes free period, or a clock disc system.

The charging was agreed despite some 31 objections from businesses and residents, who voiced concerns that tourists would be deterred and local commerce would be hit.

Chief engineer, David Marklew, said evidence from other places was that tourism was unaffected and that turnover increased as cars parked for shorter periods.

Free parking clogs up spaces and increases congestion and pollution as cars search for places. Many towns have either introduced or are considering charges, including Southampton, Salisbury, Guildford, Oxford and Bath.

Councillor, Kelsie Learney, said it was significant the chamber of commerce and the city centre manager both backed the proposal, while John Beveridge added: "This isn't going to harm commercial life."

Affected will be 142 spaces in 13 streets. The council admitted that initial proposals to put the meters in College Street were done in error and have been dropped.