The cost of long-stay car parking at Great Notley Country Park could be about to increase by nearly a third.

Essex County Council is proposing a £1.50 increase on the price of a stay of more than three hours, meaning it would cost £6.50 - up from £5.

Despite the council's country parks running at a surplus with reserves of £200,000, the added income will be used to support the £1.7 million investment in country parks due to take place this year.

Great Notley Country Park has been targeted for the rise because the attractions available mean visitors could potentially stay all day and the car park also has Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras, some the council want to try and introduce countywide.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: "We can confirm that we will soon be consulting with visitors on proposed changes to car parking charges at a number of our Country Parks including Great Notley, Belhus Woods, Thorndon, Weald, Cudmore Grove and Danbury.

"We will be inviting comments on planned charges for each of the parks included and these will be considered as part of the process. More details will be available in the coming months."

Essex County Council say car parking charges at country parks has not been increased since 2015.