CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce parking charges near beaches and at some of Poole's parks will cost the council nearly £225,000.

Cash-strapped Borough of Poole agreed to install pay-and-display parking at five parks and in 11 streets near the town's beaches in December.

The parks scheme will cost £41,000 to set up, according to a council report, but the money is expected to be recouped within a year bringing in an expected £51,000.

The parks affected are Hamworthy Park, Lake Pier car park, Newfoundland Drive skate park, Ham Common and Whitecliffe Park.

The second part of the scheme, which will see an extra 350 pay-and-display places in 11 roads near the town's beaches, will cost £181,000 to set up.

Although it will only claw back and expected £78,000 in the first year.

But a council spokesman explained the savings would be annual with the capital cost being a one-off.