RESIDENTS of Neston and Ellesmere Port have seen a 35,700% increase in the revenue their council receive for parking charges and fines - the greatest for any local authority in England.

Ellesmere Port and Neston Council raised £716,000 from charging for parking and fines in 2002-2003 compared to just £2000 in 1997-1998.

The upsurge is replicated across the country with a 71% increase bringing the total income from parking from English councils to £1.09 billion.

The council attribute the rise to the introduction of charges in the main car parks in Ellesmere Port town centre.

A council spokesman said: "In 2001 the council introduced charges in Ellesmere Port. Parking is still free in Neston and only costs 50p for upto two hours and 70p for between two and four hours. The introduction of small charges in some of our car parks accounts for the figures which shows that we do now receive revenue from parking charges."