A 50p night-time parking charge could be increased to pay for overnight wardens, it is feared.

Braintree Council implemented the small charge for those using its car parks in Mill Lane, Mayland Road and Newlands Drive from 7pm to 7am last month.

The new Easton Road car park costs £1 from 7pm to 4am.

It is estimated that the charge will raise £8,000 in the financial year 2015/16.

Town councillors in Witham fought to stop the charge but were overruled at district council level.

Now concerns have been raised that the tarriff could be increased to pay help pay for enforcement and regulation.

Councillor Michael Lager asked Braintree Council how much it has set aside to pay for monitoring the tickets and collecting the charges.

Councillor Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for place, said: “The new 50p overnight tariff was introduced on January 12.

“In its first month of operation, there have been 344 vends with income of £189.00."

See this week's Witham Times for the full story.