VISITORS to Bournemouth's Hengistbury Head car park have complained after discovering the only way to pay is through a pay by phone cashless service.

They said many elderly people were unable to use the service and left to park elsewhere or go home over the Bournemouth Air Festival weekend.

The service was introduced after cash machines were vandalised and left "beyond repair" last month.

Bournemouth council is still waiting for new machines to arrive.

One visitor told the Daily Echo: "I was shocked to discover that the only way to park is through the pay to park app. This was not compatible for my new Nokia smart phone and my sister could not download it onto her Apple either."

She said it took 25 minutes to go online and pay the parking fee and added: "Lots of older people were distressed and could not do it. Many left to park elsewhere or just go home. Some people do not have smart phones. By making this the only way to pay, the council are doing a huge disservice to both locals and holidaymakers who want to enjoy a beauty spot without having to battle technology."

A council spokesman said motorists have the option to use pay by phone or to purchase a ticket from the nearby Solent Meads car park.

The machines were damaged on August 5 or 6 and the council has said it is not an option to provide free parking while they wait for new ones because parking income is used to fund vital frontline council services.