CALLS for a cheap car-Parking pass for holidaymakers have been dismissed by Wey-mouth's tourism chiefs.

A regular visitor to the resort, dismayed at the amount drivers have to pay to park their vehicles, has suggested the move.

Jenny Cox from Weston-super-Mare said the tourism trade was the lifeblood of Weymouth and Portland and warned that visitors would shun the area because of what she claims are sky-high charges.

She believes holidaymakers who contribute a massive amount to the local economy should be offered a parking pass costing around £20 a week.

Mrs Cox, 57, who lived in Weymouth during the late 1970s, said: "I understand Weymouth does have a parking problem but if you're on holiday with a family, parking charges can be very expensive.

"Visitors to Weymouth spend a lot of money and I think they should be able to buy a weekly parking pass for about £20.

"I think it would solve a lot of the problems as I think the council is getting very greedy with these rises in council tax and parking charges.

"Weymouth is a beautiful place and the council could do more.

"For example, the toilets are appalling and more bins are needed for waste."

Mrs Cox said she did not agree with the new pay and display scheme on the Esplanade, an area where it used to be free to park.

She said families with young children on a budget are hit particularly hard by the charges.

The maximum stay in these bays is four hours which costs £4.

Councillor Brian Ellis, tourism spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said he didn't think car parking charges put people off coming to the resort.

He said there might be a case for a visitor pass but stressed that residents should come first in any discount scheme.

Coun Ellis added that cash generated from car parks was an important part of the council's revenue which helped the borough fund services and activities.

Keith Salmon, president of the World Heritage Coast Hospitality Association which represents accommodation providers and tourist attractions, said: "Parking has always been a problem in Weymouth, mainly because of the town's layout.

"While I agree we should do everything to help our guests I don't think a cheap parking ticket is practical.

"Guests staying in hotels are given a permit to park in pay-and-display areas and I think that scheme works very well."

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said to park for 12 hours it costs £4 at Lodmoor and £5 at the Swannery which, on the whole, was reasonable.

He said the parking enforcement scheme was working extremely well and between 100-200 penalty tickets are being issued every week.