Hi-tech cameras have led to thousands of people being fined while parking at country parks across Kent.

Eight of the nine KCC-run green spaces now use ANPR equipment to record visitors – the only exception being the White Horse Wood Country Park at Detling, near Maidstone.

The technology has led to 6,082 offenders receiving a parking ticket of £70, which is halved if paid within 14 days, in the six months leading up to November 30 last year.

That equated to £38,910 in income from fines paid to the council.

Motorists parking legitimately and paying the parking fee raised another £379,606 for the council, bringing the total expected income from fines and fees in a full year to around £837,000.

KCC says money is put back into the maintenance of the parks after the cost of the cameras is deducted.

Shorne Woods Country Park at Gravesend had the highest number of offenders, with 1,375 stung with a fine in the six-month period.

First-time visitor to the woodland in Brewers Road, Shorne, Michael Utchanah said he was surprised by the number.

The Meopham resident added: “It is quite obvious when you drive in that you need to pay to park.

“I would question how many people have appealed the fines, maybe the ANPR is not working correctly. I would like to know.

“If it is correct and people thought they might get away with it, then that is wrong, but the system may have made a mistake.”

However, Sarah Smith, who visits the park around twice a week, said she was not surprised by the number of fines.

“The prices have gone up ridiculously,” she said. “It used to be around £1.20 for a day, but it is now £3.

“If people are only coming here for an hour maybe, they are taking a risk not knowing there is ANPR.

“I do not think people realise it is here now as it never used to be.”

Ms Smith said the park was one of the biggest in Kent and incredibly popular, which could explain why it had the highest number of fines as there were more drivers to fine than elsewhere.

At Shorne Woods it costs £3 to park on a weekday and £4 on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.

Parking fees vary elsewhere, but are typically £2 a day, Monday to Friday and £3 a day at weekends. Season tickets, which enable parking at all nine parks, are available.

KCC said that the income it receives from parking fines is not as high as one might expect because firstly, not all fines issued are paid

But principally, it shares the income with Euro Car Parks which operates the parking on its behalf.

Once all costs are accounted for, the remaining income is split between KCC and the operator, with Kent receiving only 30%.