Residents say the car park charges are unfair to everyone

They staged the demonstration on Thursday to coincide with a full city council meeting.

The controversial car parking charges were introduced in March and have provoked widespread criticism.

Traders have complained that the tighter parking restrictions and evening charges have driven customers away.

Extra revenue

TUC organiser Brian Anderson said the council's parking restrictions were damaging the city centre.

He was at the protest which included people with banners, loud speakers and one person dressed as the Grim Reaper.

"They have hurt everybody. People can't afford to pay, they have fixed incomes," he said.

"We have had a 9% poll tax increase in York and now the parking charges are just too much and the yellow lines are too much."

The average price for parking during the day and evening is �1.30 an hour in the centre.

The council says it needs the extra revenue to help balance its books.

Dave Merrett, Labour group leader on the Liberal Democrat-controlled council, is expected to ask the authority to carry out an urgent review of the situation.