New fees are due to come into force in car parks across the Kerrier district from next Wednesday, February 1.

The cost of a single hour's parking at all district council-run car parks will drop from 60p to 40p - a move designed to encourage shoppers into town centres, thereby benefiting local businesses.

Charges for coaches and motorcycles are being scrapped altogether, in a bid to tempt additional tourism and custom to the district.

The changes follow consultation with chambers of commerce in Camborne and Redruth and businesses in Helston. Town and parish councils were also given a chance to comment on the proposals.

Graham Hicks, Kerrier's portfolio holder for the environment, said: "Having weighed up the needs of local business people and the interests of council tax payers, we hope these changes will help to encourage people into our towns and villages for quick, everyday shopping trips, and tempt more coach tours to include stops in the district."

Other changes planned under the new parking order include fines increasing from £40 to £50, tickets no longer being interchangeable for car parks on The Lizard, and a reduction in the parking fee at Shrubberies Hill, Porthleven.

The cattle market and Tyacke Road car parks in Helston will be converted into long-stay facilities, as will Kitto's Field in Porthleven.

Half the long-stay capacity at the Rosewarne extension, Camborne, will be converted into additional short-stay parking for shoppers.

Some of the costs are being offset by charging in coastal car parks throughout the year, bringing Kerrier into line with neighbouring districts.

Season ticket holders will be allowed to park in all Kerrier council car parks, subject to the same maximum stay restrictions as other users.

Kerrier's senior engineer, Rob Hogg, said: "Season ticket holders will be issued with cardboard discs, enabling them to display their time of arrival in short-stay car parks. Customers should look for the council's new green signs, which will explain arrangements under the new parking order."

The council has also made an order giving the authority increased powers to enforce parking rules at its headquarters in Camborne, in order to protect disabled parking facilities and ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.