SHOPPERS think parking in Bournemouth costs 62 per cent more than it actually does, the Daily Echo has found.

The average price of two hours parking at central car park locations is £1.78, according to research into creating a Business Improvement District (BID).

That compares to prices of £3.67 in Brighton and £2.40 in Southampton.

But the message does not seem to be getting through to people – a major complaint of the town centre’s traders.

The Echo spoke to 25 shoppers and they estimated an average price of £2.90.

Tanya Lloyd, 22, a student from Charminster said: “I reckon it’s about £4. Wherever you park, it’s expensive.”

Amy Armstrong, 21, a student from Boscombe said: “I’d say it’s £3.50. The prices put me off.”

Ian Hunter, 52, visiting from Gloucestershire, estimated £3 and partner Marina Winter, 45, from Oxford, guessed £2.

Ruby Brooks, from the town centre, said: “I think £5 because there’s a lot of tourists and they just want to park and stay on the beach.”

Karen Perkins, 52, had got the bus in from Parkstone because she thought parking was more expensive than it was – she guessed £3.

Traders have long complained that prices are putting people off and sending them to free, out of town shopping centres like Castlepoint.

That is despite recent special promotions – including a spell of free parking between 8am and 10am on a Saturday - that have been launched by the council.

The research was carried out by Gregg Dunnett, who is co-ordinating the town centre BID.

He found the council’s 24 car parks are generally cheaper than the seven private ones, with the three NCP car parks the most expensive.

He will be investigating whether road signs direct people to more expensive car parks at BID focus group sessions, being held next week from Monday.

Out on the street, builder Mark Priest, 21, from Kinson had a similar view.

“All the cheaper ones are miles away from the town centre,” he said. “I might as well park next to my house.”