Increased Parking charges could cost businesses in Mid Sussex £10 million a year.

Sussex Enterprise has launched a petition to businesses across the district encouraging them to protest against the rises which came into force on April 2.

Parking charges have risen by as much as 167 per cent in some car parks with annual season tickets increasing from £337 to £750.

Spokesman Stephen Rostron said: "An individual employee could face paying an extra £650 a year now the new charges are in place.

"The consequences of this increase could be severe. Town centre businesses may suffer recruitment and retention problems as employees can't afford the extortionate new prices.

"Congestion will also increase on town centre roads and residential areas in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead as people refuse to park in car parks.

"Even if you have your own car park or are based out of town your business may still suffer as the local economy is affected."

Mr Rostron said Sussex Enterprise was urging anyone who felt strongly about the rises to sign its petition, which it would then present to the council.

The petition would also be used as the basis for discussions about the provision of long-term parking for businesses in the area.

Brian Wiseman, spokesman for Burgess Hill Chamber of Trade, said: "I am very displeased with the parking issue. I think it is already having an adverse effect. Business is down since car parking charges went up.

"It is showing in the figures. Mid Sussex District Council's action is inappropriate and crass."

Mr Wiseman, who owns Present Company in The Martlets, Burgess Hill, said it was not the way to manage environmental issues and was not benefiting the community.

He said: "It just erodes the businesses of people like myself. It sends my customers to out of town locations where there are no parking charges."

Mid Sussex District Council has announced it will be carrying out a strategic review of parking and other local issues later this year.

A council spokeswoman said the council's focus was on short-term parking and encouraging shoppers into town.