TORY councillors in the Holme Valley have reacted angrily to increases in long-stay parking charges in Holmfirth.

Councillors Nigel Patrick, Donald Firth and Ken Sims said they were outraged by the decision to raise prices by 30p a day - because they had been assured there would be no higher charges in the town.

From March 2, the cost will go up from 50p to 80p for three hours and up from £2.20 to £2.50 for all-day parking.

The councillors had been holding talks with Kirklees Council officers to keep car parking charges low and introduce some free parking, in order to reduce the burden on shops.

They said many shops had reported a drop in trade since parking charges were introduced.

Attacking the ruling Liberal Democrat group on Kirklees Council, Clr Patrick said: "At no time did anyone say they intended to increase parking charges in Holmfirth - I think we have been tricked and I am not happy about that."

Clr Firth added: "No- one even bothered to inform me that the long stay charges were to be increased in Holmfirth."