Plans to introduce car park charges in East Barnet have created a storm of protest among shopkeepers.

Barnet Council is considering introducing a pay-and-display system at the Church Hill Road car park.

But the owners of Village Jewellers, Quality Shop and Four Balloons and a Party have organised a petition protesting against the charges.

'The idea is to make the car park more available for shoppers but there are never any problems parking there,' said John Rudd from the jewellers. 'We are frightened that it will drive customers away.'We have convenient shopping here for the whole village and we don't want that to be spoiled.'

'And it's not just shoppers who use the car park, ,, mothers use it when they pick up children from St Mary's at the end. If they can't park while they wait it will cause even more traffic chaos.'

The proposed scheme would see 30p charges for stays of up to an hour, 50p for 1-2 hours, £1 for two to four hours and £1.50 for longer than that.

If you wish to register an objection, write to the Highways Service, London Borough of Barnet, Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Whetstone, before July 31.