Street Parking charges are set to rocket in a move which will net an extra £3 million a year from motorists.

An hour's parking in the centre of Brighton and Hove is set to go up from £2 to £3.

In surrounding streets, the 50p hourly rate will rise to £1.50.

In outlying areas and central Hove, 30 minutes' parking will go up from 10p to 50p.

A report to be discussed by Brighton and Hove City Council's policy committee on Wednesday suggests replacing the city's haphazard network of parking fees with a three-band system comprising inner, middle and outer zones.

The aim is to encourage drivers to use public transport, cycle or walk into the city centre.

Council environment director Jenny Rowlands believes the present hourly charge of £2 in the central shopping areas is too low.

Daily parking charges in some areas are currently much lower than the £2.50 price of a Saver bus ticket.

The new charges will help to make buses a more attractive option.

They will raise more than £3 million extra for the council in a full year, money which must be spent on improvements to transport.

Environment councillor Gill Mitchell said: "Parking charges play their part in helping us manage traffic in the city and achieve a balance between different road users.

"Simplifying charges avoids confusion and makes a lot of sense for everyone."

The council has already agreed to phase out voucher parking in favour of pay-and-display. Charges will rise for pay-and-display in Madeira Drive and Kingsway to £1 an hour.

The policy of making car parks cheaper than neighbouring on-street parking will remain to discourage parking on the streets.

There will be a drop in the price of a three-hour stay at Haddington Street car park in Hove .

No changes are proposed to charges at The Lanes, London Road and King Alfred car parks, which are all council-owned and operated.

Rottingdean car parks will also be unaffected.

Ms Rowlands said the plans would help reduce road traffic and the council also hoped to provide a park-and-ride site.

It has been told to reduce air pollution at three hotspots in the city identified earlier this month as causing concern.