A DISTRICT-WIDE crackdown on car parking abuse has seen an increased number of offenders in court over the past six months.

The 38 offenders had all failed to pay parking fines given by Hambleton District Council.

From next week, the fines will be more - rising by £10 to £40, with an extra charge for late payment of £20. Court action is taken only if the fine is not paid.

The council provides free parking across Hambleton, with almost 2,250 long and short-stay spaces in the market towns of Northallerton, Stokesley, Easingwold, Bedale and Thirsk.

Most spaces are restricted to two hours in the disc zones, apart from at Hambleton Forum, in Northallerton, where there is a three-hour limit.

The council's head of technical services, David McGloin, said: "Despite the wealth of spaces, and the fact that it is free, some people still overstay their welcome and spoil the availability of spaces for other users.

"Ultimately, we will take court action to stop these offenders, which is costly for them. And our initial fines are rising to £40, the first increase since 1999."

The rise was approved by the council earlier this year.