POLITICIANS in Wrexham are set to be charged for car parking from next year following recent criticism of the proposals being delayed.

Almost 500 staff, including the county's 52 councillors, currently receive free parking in certain locations to carry out council business.

A consultation held in 2017 showed most members of the public felt the concession should be scrapped as the local authority is making multi-million pound cuts to services.

Executive board members voted in favour of moving forward with the plans in May, but a recent report showed it would not be implemented until 2019/20.

It led to a large backlash on social media and the council's leader has now clarified that councillors and staff will be charged £144 for an annual pass from April.

In a statement Cllr Mark Pritchard (Ind) said the changes were "long-overdue".

He said: “This is the right thing to do and we have listened to what our constituents are telling us.

“I am of the opinion that this is long-overdue and we should always have been paying for our car parking in the past.

“In these extremely difficult times, it’s right that the council shows leadership and sets an example and this is one way in which we can do this.

“I’d like to thank all group leaders and the alliance for their support in making this decision going forward.”

The estimated amount the charges are expected to generate was previously reported as just under £50,000.