Malvern Hills District Council has revealed the "true" cost of imposing car park charges in Newtown Road, after being challenged by a Link Top businessman.

Arthur Steady, a director of Teleradio, had spoken out in the wake of the introduction of ticket machines in the car parks opposite his shop.

He wanted the council to tell him how much the ticket machines cost to buy, install and run, the projected income from the car park and the actual income.

"If, as I suspect, this project was loss-making from the start, I intend to object to the accounts at the next audit," he said.

Mr Steady said that of the 11 spaces in one of the car parks, a good proportion would be used by residents and others who hold two-hour parking permits.

"It follows that the exercise is for no more than six places and it must have been obvious from the onset that the project was uneconomic," he said.

Chief executive Chris Bocock said the machines cost £4,500 and installation and signage £4,135. The projected total income is £5,500 a year; so far the income is £137.

He said: "I should point out that during this initial period there has been a campaign mounted by local residents to urge people not to use the car parks. This has probably had an impact on the level of income."

Meanwhile, local resident Ron Harris says the erection of signs and ticket machines in the car park may be contrary to the council's own conservation area policy for Link Top.

He said: "I can't put up a satellite dish without special permission from the council, so why should they be able to put up these signs?"

Steve Edden, of MHDC's planning department, said they would be looking into the matter.

"But it could well be that this sort of work does not need planning permission," he explained.