THE city council is to look at selling advertising in its car parks as a way of boosting income.

The two-year trial, which would see Worcester City Council working with partners to sell advertising in various spots throughout its 14 car parks, would determine whether it could generate more income for the council without having to increase parking charges.

Adverts could potentially be placed on ticket machines, information boards and banners as a way of testing the water, if the plan is backed by councillors next week.

The scheme would work in a similar way to how the council sells advertising space on several roundabouts across the city.

With an estimated 1.2 million people using council-owned car parks every year, the sale of advertising could prove to be a small cash cow for the council.

The city council has already looked at other councils who make money through advertising on car parks - as well as lampposts, toilets, bridges, litter bins and bus stations - for advice.

The hope for the advertising plan is that it would boost council coffers without charging drivers more to park.

The need to generate money stems from a desire to save almost £500,000 by the end of next year - either by making cuts or increasing income from car parks - as earmarked in its own budget.

Having already found £295,000, the council was warned that trying to cut the remaining £160,000 could prove very risky and would need to find ways of boosting income.

City council bosses have remained resolute in not increasing parking charges in recent years and have no plans to up the price of parking in the city at any point in the future.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, leader of the council, also opposed raising charges and laughed off claims last month that allowing increases would cut congestion.

The council could have raised as much £300,000 by agreeing to make "moderate" increases to car parking charges, according to a report by consultants Systra, but much of the review was rejected by councillors when it was discussed last October.

The council instead opted to buy new pay and display machines to allow drivers to make contactless payments. A new app would also allow drivers to top up the length of their stay on-the-go.