CAMPAIGNERS who fought a losing battle against parking fees at Poole's Whitecliff Park now describe the area as a "ghost town" since the charges came into force.

Bob Lister, who was opposed to the introduction of parking fees at Whitecliff, told the Daily Echo: "The car park is empty with sometimes as little as four cars parked at a time since parking charges have been introduced.

"This is what we perceived would happen. People are not getting out in the fresh air and exercising.

"What are they doing? Parking for free in nearby roads or going somewhere else that is free?

"The cost of the two parking machines will never be recovered - more waste of our money."

The parking charges started being rolled out at five parks in the borough at the end of last month - Whitecliff Park car park, Hamworthy Park car park, Ham Common car park, Lake Pier car park, and Newfoundland Drive skateboard car park.

The decision to introduce charges at the car parks was made at a Borough of Poole cabinet meeting in December 2016. However, when the plans were first proposed, residents objected in their thousands and signed a number of public petitions.

The charges will apply in all five parks between March 1 and October 31 each year.

Cecilia Brind - known locally as Monica - who runs the burger van at Whitcliff Park car park, said: "It is really, really bad at the moment. I've been back here for a couple of weeks since the charges were introduced, but I've worked here for 21 years.

"This is a community, lots of people still want to support me but say they're not going to pay to park here, so I'm losing money fast."

Monica told the Echo she's losing up to £200 a day and £300 at weekends.

"They (BOP) have no integrity, no honour. This would normally be packed out but now they're is hardly anyone here," she added.

Charge now apply at Whitecliff Park car park, 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday.

The maximum stay during the week is four hours, costing £1 for up to two hours and £2 for up to four hours.

On the weekend, it will cost £2 for up to 10 hours.