A recent change in parking regulations at a shopping centre car park has left some Blue Badge holders with fines.

The Priory Shopping Centre car park in Dartford, often used by Sainsbury's customers, has changed its regulations which means Blue Badge holders now need to pay for parking, instead of getting it for free.

Signage has changed and says: "Blue Badge holders only in marked Blue Badge bays. A valid Blue Badge must be clearly displayed at all times in the windscreen area.

"No concessions apply."

It means disabled drivers now have to pay the same as everyone else, starting at £1.50 for an hour or £15 for all day.

Disability rights campaigner Laura Cordell said as a result of the change, she has stopped using Sainsbury's in Dartford and now shops elsewhere.

She said: “It’s frustrating, given that I used to be able to park in Sainsbury's for free with my Blue Badge and now it’s £5 [for three hours]. It’s a big jump, especially when you’re on a single, disabled person’s income.

"You used to be able to park there for an unlimited time, because disabled shopping takes a lot longer when you’re on your own. It’s frustrating to go from that.

"It wasn’t very clear either when it changed."

Priory Centre manager Rob Burdett said the rules had changed because the car park now has an ANPR system rather than pay and display, where vehicles are monitored arriving and leaving by cameras recording the registration plates. He said many other shopping centre car parks have similar systems.

He said: "Where possible we are being understanding during this transition period to customers who may not have been aware of the changes.

"Where Blue Badge holders have received PCNs, we will ask the parking company to cancel them."

Those using the car park have also been frustrated recently by long queues, as one parking meter did not work.

The meter has since been fixed and four new ones are due to be installed to ease queuing times.