PARKING meters across North Yorkshire which help the county council bring in over £3m have been converted to take the new £1 coin with plans to introduce card payments by the end of the year.

The authority is responsible for enforcement of on street parking across the county, Northallerton High Street is the last area to be converted for the new coins which means the authority's 183 meters are now all compatible.

In 2015, income from parking enforcement was £4,924,292, which after expenses left £3,013,392 to invest in parking and highway schemes.

In the Hambleton area they made £261,310, with £11,599 in Richmondshire after expenses.

Across North Yorkshire 48,773 parking tickets were issued to drivers who failed to pay charges, overran allotted time or failed to abide by parking regulations.

This included 3,611 tickets issued in the Hambleton area and 2,571 in Richmondshire.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive member for highways, said: “Every effort was made to complete this work at the earliest opportunity to minimise inconvenience to drivers and we thank them for their patience.

"The card payment facility will give drivers greater choice in how to pay.’’