Car parking charges will be introduced at a popular Maidstone park today.

Maidstone Borough Council made the decision to introduce charges at Mote Park last July, sparking a petition with more than 840 supporters.

Councillors claim income generated from the fees would help maintain the park and hopefully retain its Green Flag status.

Visitors will be charged £1 for six hours, or £12 for longer - twice the rate of town centre car parks in a move to deter commuters.

Charges will begin at 10am daily, but the park will open an hour earlier at 8am, to allow early-morning joggers and dog-walkers to visit the site for free.

It is expected the fees will make the council a net income of around £171,000 a year, but installing the parking meters will cost £87,000.

Councillor Gordon Newton (Ind), chairman of the heritage, culture and leisure committee, said: "Introducing car parking charges is not a decision councillors have taken lightly.

"Unfortunately, local government looks set to suffer more budget cuts in the coming years, and we need to make tough decisions to protect services for the most vulnerable as well as keeping the borough a nice place to live.

"Mote Park is one of the borough's greatest assets, and these charges will help protect it."

The 460-acre park attracts around 1m visitors a year, with around 385,000 arriving by car. Research suggests 42% come from outside the borough.

An online survey of 5,000 people indicated 72% of borough residents would support a charge.

Money will go towards a £3.2m investment programme, which will see a new café and adventure zone built at the site, along with work to replace old and run-down play equipment.

What do you think about the charges? Let us know - call 01622 695666 or email jcoupe@thekmgroup.co.uk.