MEMBERS of staff working at the county's community hospitals will need to buy a permit to park.

Visitors and patients now have to pay to park at car parks at community hospitals in Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Bromyard.

And later this summer a permit scheme is being introduced for staff which will be £125 per year.

A spokesman for Wye Valley NHS Trust said: "Once again it’s down to the principal that there is a cost to maintaining and keeping our car parks safe and fit for purpose.

"This currently comes out of the pot of money we get to run services, so the decision was made that those using the car parks should pay for the privilege – and the money that is left over after the costs of the parking scheme are covered will be used to help the trust’s finances.

"We have met with staff at our community hospitals to explain this and to help them understand the reasons behind the introduction of parking charges."