A popular town centre car park is to go fully cashless.

The machines at Fremlin Walk's multi-storey in Earl Street, Maidstone, are being "upgraded" to take only contactless payments.

The car park, run by Saba, started to change over to a new ticketing system from the end of September.

It has also decided to switch from drivers receiving yellow plastic tokens at the entry barrier to paper tickets instead.

A new barrier and ANPR cameras will also be installed for permit holders.

Users will still have to pay at a machine at the end of their parking time before they can leave, however payment options for the new machines will be cashless and contactless.

Customers will also have the choice to pay via Google or Apple Pay.

On Saba's website, it states: "Our parking equipment is getting upgraded.

"There may be some disruption, but the car park is accessible during this time.

"We apologise for any inconvenience during the next few weeks, as the parking equipment will be upgraded.

"Entry and exit lanes will be closed off intermittently, but you will be able to access and exit the car park during this time."

The new system has already encountered some errors, with customers unable to make payments on the machines on Tuesday evening.

A sign on the new machines said: "We are currently unable to take card payments due to a fault.

"Please take your barcode ticket to the exit and either scan or insert and the barrier will lift to allow you out."

The multi-storey has 760 spaces across three levels, with 26 spaces for disabled people.

Prices for Sunday to Friday are still £2.50 for up to one hour, £4.60 for three to four hours, and £11.20 for more than five hours.

Saturday prices will continue to be £6.30 for up to four hours, £10.60 for up to six, and £11.70 for more than six.

Users will also be charged £16.20 for lost tickets.

Charlotte Osborn-Forde is the chief executive officer of Involve Kent, a charity that aims to tackle isolation, loneliness, disadvantage and frailty in communities.

She commented: "Many older people prefer to use cash, and indeed over a million people in the UK don’t have a bank account.

"It's really important that our town centres are inclusive and welcoming of everybody, with provision available for people who rely on cash.

"It can be very stressful for people who don’t have the right mobile phone or bank card to access parking and can put them off going out and about or accessing vital services."

'It's really important that our town centres are inclusive and welcoming of everybody...'

Sue Curtis, chair of the Tonbridge and Malling Seniors Forum, said: "I am sure many older people from our borough travel to Maidstone, but whilst many will have mobile phones, a lot will not be conversant enough to pay with them.

"Also it is well documented that a fairly large proportion of people over 60 do not necessarily have or are competent with computers."

Saba has been contacted for a comment.