WORCESTER car parks could undergo major changes in a bid to encourage more shoppers and tourists to the city.

The city's 14 car parks are to be banded into five zones according to their proximity to central shopping facilities.

The idea is to discourage people who work in Worcester from parking in spaces close to the centre, and therefore making more room for visitors.

Other proposed changes will include cheap overnight parking for local residents, and more simplified pricing structures.

The ideas, part of a new-look Parking Business Strategy, will be discussed by Worcester City Council tomorrow night. If agreed, the changes would come into effect on Wednesday, December 1.

Meanwhile, a trial is taking place at the Croft Road car park to enable motorhomes and camper vans to park there overnight, while at six other central locations pay machines are set to be converted to accept credit cards for people who do not have enough change.

Work has also begun on a scheme to add a further 74 secure car-parking spaces at Tybridge Street car park.

"This is a comprehensive overhaul of car parking in Worcester with a view to making it easier for everyone to use the appropriate car park according to their needs," said the council's deputy leader, Councillor Simon Geraghty.

"Our aim is to reduce confusion over car park pricing and make the charges more logical - hopefully persuading long-stay car park users to stay outside the city centre by making it more financially attractive for them to do so.

"We are also aiming to boost trade and attract tourists to stay longer by reducing the charge for parking for four hours on our most popular car parks.

"This move will hopefully persuade serious shoppers to come to the city and spend their money here rather than at out-of-town centres such as Merry Hill or Cribbs Causeway."