CASUAL users of Skipton's Aireville Park will have to pay to use the car park from April following the introduction of short term parking.

Charges will run seven days a week, from 9am to 7pm, and will start at 50p for an hour, rising to £1.10p for two hours, and £4.50p for more than four hours.

Paid up members of Craven Pool and Fitness - recently re-branded Craven Leisure - will be issued with a permit, registered to their car and allowing them to park for free, while those attending lessons or going swimming will receive a refund.

Those visiting the cafe - which is currently undergoing a £50,000 refurbishment, will also receive a refund, providing they spend more than £5.

All other park users, including dog walkers, those using the skatepark, Saturday Parkrunners, and office workers, will have to pay - or risk a ticket.

Craven District Council, which is facing tough financial pressures, says charging needs to be brought in to protect spaces for those using the pool and fitness centre.

Lloyd Hancox, the council's leisure services manager, said: “It is important to us that the parking facility is protected for the users of the centre and not those that feel they can park for free.”

In addition to paid up members - who pay between £26 to £35 per month for full use of the centre and classes - parents of swimming lesson children will also receive a car permit, allowing them also to park for free.

Casual customers will also get their parking fee refunded, as long as they produce their ticket stub at reception.

Similar to supermarkets which charge for parking, tickets will be in two portions - one to be left in the car, and the other to take to the centre reception.

Permits to centre members will allow free parking up to four hours, while those having swimming lessons will be allowed free parking up to two and a half hours.

Centre members are in the process of being contacted to tell them about the changes so they can get a permit in place ahead of the new system being introduced.

Councillors agreed to the introduction of short term parking charges because it was believed office workers and students at Craven College were taking up spaces.

In addition to the £50,000 investment in the cafe, the council has spent £22,000 on new spinning bikes, to be used in classes.