The University of Leicester Hospitals Trust has agreed to create a small number of free parking spaces following talks with patient groups.

Members of the Leicester Kidney Patients Association said they would have to pay about �500 a year to park.

A limited number of free spaces will be available at the trust's main sites.

'Extraordinary notion'

Kevin Blank, the partner of a kidney dialysis patient, said he was glad managers had listened to their complaints and lifted car park fees.

"The sad fact is that is that if they [patients] didn't have this treatment, then they would die," he said.

"To charge for car parking is an extraordinary notion and should never have been considered in the first place."

Free parking spaces for some patients can be found at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and the Leicester General.