Booths in Fulwood has introduced number plate recognition on its car park after shoppers have been unable to park at the store.

The supermarket in Sharoe Green Lane still offers two hours free parking for customers, but anyone using the car park to visit the hospital will now be fined.

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The move comes after a string of parking problems for staff, visitors and patients at Royal Preston Hospital.

Read more: What you need to know about hospital parking charges

A spokesman for Booths said: “There have been long-standing parking issues in Fulwood in the area surrounding the Royal Preston Hospital. 

“The hospital introduced parking charges last year and unfortunately this has led to the misuse of the Booths shoppers’ car park.    

“While we are genuinely sympathetic for patients undergoing treatment and respect the dedication of NHS staff, the Booths car park is a retail car park and cannot function as an overspill car park for the hospital staff and patients. 

“Booths will continue to offer two hours of free parking for customers who shop at Booths and the attached retail units.

“We are aware that shoppers have found it difficult to find a parking space at Booths Fulwood, so to ensure that customers have a better opportunity to park, we’ve introduced number plate recognition cameras and will enforce these parking restrictions with our partner Parking Eye.”

Read more: Student nurse starts petition over ‘nightmare’ parking at Royal Preston Hospital