Residents of a Cornish town are protesting at council proposals to increase the cost of parking by 400%.

People living in Fowey say plans being proposed by Restormel Borough Council will drive visitors away from the picturesque town.

The council is putting forward plans to increase the cost of season tickets fourfold as well as increasing charges for long-stay parking.

The council says that it wants to make parking fees "affordable and suitable".

Already congested

Tony Ryde, Fowey's mayor, is concerned about the effect the plans will have on the local economy.

"The net effect of this must be that fewer people will visit and enjoy Fowey," he said.

"When people come here we want them to use car parks and we don't want them to drive through streets which are already congested."

Local resident Rachel Fisher says the proposals would mean her �90 season ticket would cost about �400 a year.

"There is an assumption that Fowey is full of rich, retired people, it's not," she said.

Restormel Borough Council is reviewing its parking policy throughout the borough and insists that the plans are part of a consultation exercise.

Craig Bryant, the cabinet member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said that tough decisions have to be made, but the public's views will be taken into account.

"Of course we'll look at what people are saying," said Mr Bryant.