Shoppers at a retail park have taken to social media to vent their outrage at new parking cameras at a busy retail park.

New automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras went live at Prospect Retail Park in Whitstable at the beginning of the month after signs were installed on the site telling drivers they could stay for a maximum of two hours, or risk a £100 fine.

Aldi, M&S and Home Bargains opened in February and promised customers free parking.

Dawn Hunter wrote on Facebook's Overheard and Seen in Whitstable: "Ok, a rant, but also can anyone help or put me in the right direction to get a change," she said.

"I popped into Aldi at Estuary View and saw cameras as I drove in. Parking Eye now own the land and are in charge of parking. You now get two hours of parking free, after that it is a £100 parking charge notice, even blue badge holders are only allowed the two hours.

"If you are issued a blue badge, after so much paper work, parking eye think they can override the three hours permitted.

"If you are taking someone out who has limited mobility, covering the three shops in two hours is nigh on impossible, and what if we want to pop and have a cuppa and use the toilets to have a little rest.

"It's absolutely ridiculous - it's not even as though you would park there and spend the day elsewhere."

Jon Priddey, who is disabled, also commented on the post. He said: "I'm disabled too and definitely can't manage to be shopping for two hours. I don't know how able bodied people can do it."

Shoppers have emailed bosses to complain and are hoping to get the parking hours extended.

"If you are taking someone out who has limited mobility, covering the three shops in two hours is nigh on impossible..." - Dawn Hunter

Colin Rose, wrote to Aldi and raised his concerns. He said the charge is seen as excessive and asked them to reconsider the restrictions.

"The general consensus of opinion is that three hours parking and two hours returns along with a £50 charge would be more reasonable.

"In respect to to the returning policy how does it work if I forget something? I either face £100 charge or have to wait four hours. Bit of a pain if it's the milk, no cuppa, joking aside while two hours maybe suitable for the young for those of us less mobile and three shops to cover it's not a lot," he added.

Emma Wathes, of Aldi Parking Management responded to the complaints, which was posted to the Facebook group by Dawn Hunter.

It read: "Regrettably, we would not have the details of the landowners for this site. I apologise for any disappointment this may cause.

"I appreciate your suggestion that all the retailers at this site put pressure on the retail park to increase the time limit and I will be happy to pass your comments onto the relevant team for further consideration."

The Kentish Gazette, KentOnline's sister paper has approached the landowners for a comment.