HOSPITAL bosses have written to staff to say they are pushing ahead with car parking charges.

The letter says they will have to buy permits from October 1, or use the existing pay and display machines. The permits do not guarantee a space.

The letter from director of finance John Doyle adds: "The trust has no option but to introduce this to be able to improve the current car parking arrangements and assist its financial recovery plan."

Union ballots had rejected the charges.

A staff member wrote to the Warrington Guardian to say: "Why should drivers be discriminated against to pay for a debt not of their own making?

"The trust has told staff: if you can't find a parking space and you park on pavements or grass verges you will be fined. This can't be right. Their solution? They've told us to come to work earlier.

"And why should staff pay for a service they are not guaranteed to get? Would you pay for a season ticket at a football club only to be told someone else was sitting there?"