HUNDREDS of Worcester city council workers face a rise in car parking charges this spring as part of budget saving - but they will still be paying a fraction of the cost paid by ordinary folk.

The parking perk means 289 council workers pay £60 a year to park in some city car parks, 41 pay £120 a year and 30 councillors pay £24 a year.

However, ordinary drivers have to fork out up to £6 a day to park for eight hours in the same city centre car parks, which works out at £1,410 a year - assuming they took five weeks' holiday.

The cut-price parking for council staff has angered some drivers, but city council chief executive David Wareing defended the scheme.

He said it is mainly used by workers using cars for council business, and budget proposals, if agreed, would mean the amount they pay would double from April.

One Worcester driver, Paul Curtis, was annoyed to discover about 50 cars clogging up some of the "best" spots in the car park on the former cattle market.

Mr Curtis, of Laxton Avenue, off Monarch Drive, said he noticed rows of cars displaying council stickers after being forced to park on the outskirts of the car park.

"All the people with stickers park up near the exits," he said. "Obviously, the city council is not bothered that the paying public has to park further away, and if the car park is full we can't get in.

"I think they should keep the Butts for people who are shopping and bringing trade into the town."

Mr Wareing said: "I think you could argue it should not be a free perk, but whether we should charge our staff market rate is a matter of debate."

"We are an employer and, like a lot of employers, we would wish to provide car parking facilities if we can.

"We have to use public car parks because all of our car parking is public."

He said workers did not have a staff restaurant, private health schemes or life insurance, and called parking one of "not many" benefits enjoyed by staff.

However, he conceded the issue of staff clogging car parks should be dealt with during the review.

Staff are not allowed to use the stickers while on leave, at weekends or public holidays and they cannot be used by family members.

Worcester City Council is facing a £1.6 million budget gap this year and needs to make cuts.

Bev Kittle, Worcester city branch secretary of UNISON, declined to comment.

For £60 a year, staff can park at: Croft Road, The Moors, Pitchcroft, St Martin's Gate, Swanpool Walk, Tallow Hill, Tybridge Street, Newport Street, King Street and, Cattle Market.

For £120 a year, senior staff can also park at Orchard House and the Guildhall.

Staff cannot use the stickers at privately-owned car parks, the park-and-ride or in Clare Street, Commandery Road, Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket or Providence Street.