traders have reacted with anger over plans to introduce car parking charges to Monmouthshire's free car parks, and double them elsewhere.

One Caldicot trader said the charges could force him to close his business.

The county council will introduce charges to its previously free car parks, two of them in Caldicot, and more than double the charges in its other car parks.

From May, parking charges will rise from 30p to 70p for up to two hours, from 50p to 1 for three hours and 1.50 for four hours.

Ron Burnett, owner of Five a Day the Healthy Way fruit and vegetable shop, in Caldicot, said the car parking charges would kill the town.

He said: "It is ridiculous, it is so short-sighted what is happening, people are not going to come into Caldicot if they have to pay 70p to park up when they can go elsewhere for free.

"I took over this shop in October from the previous owners because I wanted to keep the business going and keep on the staff but with this now I will seriously have to think about not signing a new lease in May because I am just going to lose customers.

"This is just going to drive people away and be devastating for Caldicot."

Alex Edwards, owner of Caboodles in Abergavenny and president of the town's chamber of trade, said she thought it was sad the traders hadn't been consulted about such a major decision.

She said: "I have spoken to a few colleagues and we all feel the same about it, it is not good for us.