BUSINESSES in St Davids have reacted with deep concern to the introduction of new parking charges.

On Monday, the Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet agreed the seasonal parking charges, which will affect both Merrivale and Quickwell Hill car parks.

Charges of 60p per two hours, £3 per day or seasonal charges of £95 have been imposed.

Rob Pugh, who represents the Business Traders' Association, said: "We have written many letters of protest and put forward many different arguments.

"We feel these charges pose a grave risk to the businesses in St Davids and particularly in the Nun Street area, one of the main centres of business.

"We also feel it will have a bad impact on tourism which is the major employer in the area. We are very, very concerned."

Mr Pugh said the association would meet soon and discuss their options.

The county-wide charges attracted two petitions of over 1,000 names and 36 letters of objections.

Many of the objections centred on the impact in and around Nun Street.

Residents and businesses complained that the charges were too high and voiced concerns that illegal parking would increase.