Mid Sussex District Council has agreed to cut parking charges just six months after putting them up because of a mass stay-away by motorists.

From November 4, drivers leaving their cars in long-stay car parks for more than four hours will pay £2 rather than £4.

The U-turn comes after a petition was handed in to the council, calling for the £4 rate to be reduced.

Many drivers refused to pay the new daily charge and were instead parking in residential streets, causing anger among home-owners across Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.

The empty parking spaces were also hitting the council in the pocket: since prices were increased in April there has been a £150,000 drop in income.

The decision to reduce the tariffs was made at a meeting of the council's ruling Cabinet last night.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Christine Field said: "It is very easy to be wise after the event. I hope our decision is taken as evidence that we are prepared to listen to what people want.

"Now we must appeal to people's better nature and ask that they come back to using the long-stay car parks and no longer cause inconvenience to others by parking outside their homes."

Business leaders warned the price rises could cost the region £10 million a year by driving away potential employees and customers.

More than 3,000 signed a petition organised by traders' group Sussex Enterprise to get the price hike reversed.

Sussex Enterprise area director Stephen Rostron said: "We are very pleased with this decision. It is satisfying to know that the council have shown themselves to be caring.

"All credit goes to the hundreds of people who heard our plea and signed the petition or wrote to the council. Without them, this decision may never have been made."