STATE-of-the-art digital machines which take credit and debit card payments are to be installed in all of Worcester’s car parks.

Costing £3,755 apiece the first is already up and running at the Cornmarket car park and a second one will be placed in the Cattle Market car park, next to the Hive, in the coming weeks.

They will also be introduced to other car parks – where charges range from 60p an hour to £1.20 an hour – in the city over the next year or so.

Andy Chinn, civil enforcement team leader, said: “These new payment machines mean people have four ways to pay – cash, mobile phone using the RingGo system and credit or debit card.

“We are giving motorists more ways to pay which means they are less likely to get a parking ticket.”

The credit and debit card machines have improved security features.

So far seven per cent of payments in the Cornmarket car park are being made by credit or debit cards and about seven per cent of payments across all the city council’s car parks are made by RingGo – a payment system which works via text message or free apps for iPhone and Android phones. After a successful trial period the council has just renewed that contract for a year.

A decision to place one of the machines at the Cattle Market car park, off Croft Road, next is because the council expects a high demand there when the Hive opens.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “This is another measure we have introduced which clearly demonstrates our commitment to making sure Worcester is a modern city using the most sophisticated equipment to deal with the needs of businesses, tourists and residents.”

The current car park machines are 20 years old and while the council does not plan to replace every single one of the 57 machines it operates across 15 car parks and three on-street bays with the new ones – which only cost about £250 more as a result of a negotiated deal – there are plans to have at least one in each of its high demand car parks which also includes Copenhagen Street and King Street. The old machines will be kept to provide spares for any of the older ones still operating.

When the council has too many old-style machines some will be sold for scrap value while others go abroad.