The proposed changes from next November include increased fees for using popular short-stay car parks such as North Street, St Thomas Street and West Pier.

Charges could also be introduced during the winter months on Marine Drive and Royal Albert Drive – which have always enjoyed free parking from November to February.

Scarborough Council is also considering raising the cost of on-street parking throughout the town, residents' permits and tradesmen's permits.

The council has admitted that it needs to rely on the money it can rake in from imposing car parking fees.

Concerns about the impact of raising tariffs in winter but keeping them the same during high season were raised by former mayor and Castle ward councillor, Janet Jefferson.

She said: "We're proposing to take away a concession away from residents for four months of the year. We would be penalising local residents.

"I would propose that the low charges remain the same."

From next year, for example, Marine Drive car parking which is currently free would cost £1 for four hours, and parking in areas such as North Street would increase from £2.20 to £2.50 for two hours.

The car parking machines do not normally give change, so drivers are advised to have a combination of coins available, or could pay more than they need.

The band of traffic wardens will be on alert for anyone not paying the full amount for the time spent away from the