Thousands of patients, staff and visitors in Kent will no longer have to pay controversial hospital parking charges.

From April the fees will be axed for disabled badge holders, frequent outpatients, parents of children staying overnight and staff working night shifts.

The change in policy was promised in the Conservative manifesto.

Earlier this month it was revealed East Kent University Hospitals had made more than all but four of the country's 206 NHS trusts, raking in nearly £5 million last year.

Nationally £254m was made. Any profits have to be reinvested.

The total was enough to fund 8,000 nurses for a year.

It is not known how trust's will address the sudden shortfall but the use of improved technology to "reduce burdens for hospitals" will also be considered, including number plate recognition.

Capacity will also be reviewed.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This month millions of people put their trust in this government to deliver. One of the concerns mentioned regularly on the doorsteps was that vulnerable people, and staff working nights, have to pay for hospital car parking. So we are today delivering on our manifesto commitment and setting out our new approach to NHS hospital parking charges.

"Currently, the situation varies from hospital to hospital. Instead, from April, across the country those with the greatest need - such as disabled people, parents staying overnight with sick children in hospital, and NHS staff working nightshifts - will no longer have to pay for parking."

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