A NORTH Yorkshire resident today admitted he was "staggered" after comparing the cost of parking on the south coast with York.

Retired farmer John Henley kept a raft of daytime car park tickets he used during a week-long family break taking in several towns in the Dorset area.

The pensioner discovered West Berkshire and Wychavon Councils charged 50p for a two-hour stay.

Elsewhere, Swanage Town Council charged only £1 for 12 hours, while West Dorset District Council's tariff was £1.30 for three hours.

Back in York he had to dig a bit deeper - stumping up £1.50 an hour to leave his car in the city centre.

Mr Henley, who lives near Terrington, said City of York Council's "extortionate" parking charges were bad news for traders and could make the city a ghost town.

Mr Henley and wife Christine were "staggered" by the difference in parking prices across the country.

Mr Henley, 70, told the Evening Press: "On holiday, the car parks we used were all well maintained, machines were in good order and easy to understand, and they were very clean.

"In some towns parking was free and it was easy to see that was attracting shoppers and business people."

Mr Henley said he was not surprised traders in York were complaining about charges, a topic highlighted in the recent Evening Press Stop The Highway Robbery campaign against controversial evening fares.

"If the banks and certain other businesses relocated out of town, York would become a town for tourists, and they alone would not keep it going," he said.

"What will happen in winter when the tourists stay away? Empty shops, restaurants closed, businesses moved out of town? If the out of town shopping areas can provide free parking, why can't City of York Council do likewise, or at least provide parking at a cost similar to those we have illustrated."

He also said York's tariffs were prohibitive for people on low incomes, like pensioners.

Mr Henley added: "Councillors should listen to the traders and weekly shoppers...if they don't, York will cease to be the city we once knew."

Councillor Ann Reid, executive member for transport, said prices varied across the UK. "Every authority reviews their charges and sets them at a figure they think is best." She added: "Everyone can find examples of cheap or comparable car parking charges across the country."

Coun Reid said the council's aim is to encourage public transport use. The Park & Ride services keep more than one million cars out of York city centre each year, she added.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, October 26, 2004