Scores of people turned out to join a rally against Sunday parking charges.

Tonbridge and Malling council plans to make people pay to park on Sundays in future - and to extend evening parking charges until 8pm.

But the proposal - which the council admits is simply to make money - has upset almost everyone in Tonbridge outside the council chamber, and even some within it.

Four councillors - Lee Athwal (Green), Frani Hoskins (Lib Dem), Mark Hood (Green) and Garry Bridge (Lib Dem) - spoke against the changes at the rally in Watergate near the town’s castle, as did a number of local businessmen who fear their trade will be seriously affected.

Kay Sinclair, one of the rally organisers, said: “The council is just not listening. They know that residents are opposed to Sunday charges, but they plan to go ahead anyway.”

The council was presented with a 3,000-strong petition against the charges before it made its decision, but said the need to protect the council’s budget was the over-riding factor.

Cabinet member Cllr Kim Tanner (Con) said: “We have to find £1.78m in savings by 2029.”

The protesters do not accept the Conservative-controlled council’s view that they need to raise more cash, but did offer two alternatives if that really was necessary.

Mrs Sinclair said: “They could make just a very nominal charge on Sunday, or they could leave Sundays free and increase all other charges by just a few pence to raise the same amount of money.”

The protesters believe Sunday charges will deter people from visting the town.

Mrs Sinclair said: “Sundays are special. Have we learnt nothing from Covid about the need for people to socialise?”

The objectors have set up their own Facebook page with the rather lengthy name of Leave Our Tonbridge And Malling Car Parking Charges Alone.

It has almost 1,000 followers.

The protest on Sunday has achieved a small victory.

Council leader Matt Boughton (Con) has agreed to meet the objectors at a public meeting in Tonbridge Castle Chambers on Wednesday, July 24.

Mrs Sinclair promised: “We are not giving up. We won’t be beaten on this.”