A SOGGY summer and fewer fines for illegal parking are likely to cost Christchurch council more than £60,000 in lost car park revenue by the end of the current financial year.

And the shortfall could add an extra 10 pence an hour to the cost of parking in the town next year.

While income from town centre shopping car parks is more than £30,000 better than expected, half-year figures to be presented to the council's community services committee on Wednesday predict receipts from seafront and other amenity car parks will be almost £40,000 below their original budget target.

The projected £120,000 boost to the town hall coffers from parking fines has been slashed by almost half.

In his report to the committee, senior car park engineer Andy Cadle blamed the fall in fines on more obedient drivers and a shortage of parking wardens.

"If this trend continues, then income will only reach £65,000 by the end of the year," he warned.

Parking fines are likely to be further reduced next year to meet government demands for a two-tier fining system, with lower amounts charged for minor offences which account for some two-thirds of the tickets issued.

As well as the summer weather driving visitors away from the tourist trap car parks at Highcliffe and Mudeford, planned increased revenue from extending the charging season has also been drained away by the decision to delay the move until next year.

In the light of the mid-year review and the council's constant need to raise revenues, councillors are being recommended to increase the shopping car park charges to 70 pence for the first hour, rising to £5.60 for all-day parking.