MOTORISTS will have to dig deeper into their pockets to park in Eastleigh.

Parking for up to one hour will stick at 50p but visitors who want to stay longer will have to cough up more.

The fee for two hours will go up from 70p to 80p and there is a 20p increase for parking for up to three and four hours.

All-day parking at the multi-storey and Twyford Road car parks stays at £4.50.

The council is to crack down on those who fall foul of the parking laws with steeper penalties.

The council says the new charges, which swing into action on March 3, follow a careful review. It took into account several factors including encouraging shoppers into the town centre, generating revenue for the borough council but encouraging long term parkers to consider alternatives to the car.

As part of the appraisal charges in Fareham, Winchester and Southampton were also taken into account.

Councillor David Airey, executive lead for transport, said: "The council has taken a prudent view that two hour parking should only increase by 10p to 80p and that one hour parking be kept at 50p.

"Three and four-hour parking has seen a 20p increase.

"All our charges continue to be lower than our neighbouring councils."

However the council is getting tougher with motorists who avoid payment or who park illegally in disabled bays.

From March the penalty will go up from £40 to £60. This reduces to £30 if paid within 14 days.