An extra 300 parking spaces could be created at Darent Valley Hospital in response to growing demands.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said it is drawing up plans for 200 extra spaces for patients and visitors, as well as 100 more for staff.

The move comes after the Dartford Messenger exclusively revealed earlier this month that parking pressures were fuelling unrest at the Darenth Wood Road hospital, which only has about 400 spaces.

Dozens of you emailed and wrote in complaining of lengthy queues to get a space, while others said they had been penalised by Dartford council for parking on Princes Road outside the hospital.

Although this stretch of road has no double yellow lines, anyone caught parking on it could be hit with a fine, costing a maximum of £70, because it is classified as a clearway, where no stopping is permitted at any time.

Dartford Borough Council has confirmed it has issued more than 250 tickets in the road in the last three months - worth anything up to £17,500.

The hospital spokesman said plans to extent parking facilities will be submitted to the council within the next two months.

For the full story see this week's Dartford Messenger.