MOTORISTS will be able to pay by mobile phones to park in some Winchester City Council car parks from April 7.

Drivers will be able to use their mobile phone to make a call, select the time for which they want to park, and pay for parking with a credit or debit card.

Customers can set up an account on-line at any time or can do so on the day of parking with their mobile phone.

A trial of the service will be running in the Gladstone Street, Coach Park, Tower Street, St Peters, Cattle Market and Worthy Lane car parks.

This service already operates in other areas of the country.

There is no need to display any proof of purchase in the vehicle as the parking attendant can check if payment has been received using Blackberry hand held technology - automatically updated once a phone payment has been made.

The customer has proof of payment with an optional text message confirmation or can check their account online.

An extra benefit for motorists is that they can choose to receive a text message reminder of the time their parking session is due to end and can top up their parking fee remotely without having to return to their car, however, they will not be able to extend their stay for longer than the permitted time for that car park.

A spokesman said the system will also help to reduce the cost of cash collection and maintenance of ticket machines so that savings can be re-invested in the parking service and other transport improvements in Winchester.

The results of the trial will be assessed before the city council looks at extending the initiative to other areas.

More information can be found on www.winchester.gov.uk or in the car parks. Pay and display machines will still be available at all sites involved.