A SUPERMARKET will use number plate recognition cameras to catch and fine shoppers who stay in its car park for too long.

Visitors using Tesco in Market Place, Braintree, will be allowed to stay for up to two hours if they spend a minimum of £5.

Those who forget to validate their parking or stay longer than two hours will be landed with a penalty charge notice of £70, or £40 if paid within two weeks.

In a planning application submitted to Braintree Council, the store proposed to install two pole-mounted automatic numberplate recognition cameras to cover both lanes, as well as payment terminals and enforcement signs.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We’re about to start trialling a great new technology at our Braintree superstore.

“This is in response to feedback that our customers are growing frustrated by the lack of available parking spaces, because of misuse of bays by people not using the store, and we’re keen to make our customers’ lives easier.”

Disabled shopper Suzanne English-Fry of Church Street, Witham, has called for unrestricted parking for disabled users after she was forced to pay a fine.

She said: “It’s not fair, I am disabled. They fined me for taking too long in the car park.

“I was shopping with my friend and we were buying clothes which took more than two hours to keep trying on then we bought food shopping.

“I spent over £80 in store then paid £70 for the parking. I’d have been better off parking on double yellow lines on the road.”

However other shoppers have backed the proposals, saying the plans would mean more available parking for Tesco users.

Dave Hale said: “I have no problem with that at all – the car park is for their customers.

“Two hours is plenty of time to do a shop and if it’s not then spend £6 a month and have it delivered.”