A woman is fed up after forking out £545 for an annual parking ticket - but still struggles to find a space.

Celine Dior says she has been stuck in her car for up to half an hour just waiting to get a spot in Medway Council-run Whiffens Avenue car park in Chatham.

She lives nearby in The Brook, and parking has been a constant nightmare since she moved there in March.

She said: "Initially I was told by an estate agent parking would be £30.

"But as I don't live in a parking permit area, I had to pay £545 for a season ticket."

The ticket means she can use most of the car parks in Chatham town centre but it does not guarantee her a space, and Miss Dior says they fill up fast.

She said: "Every time I pop out in my car, I have to drive around just waiting for a space.

"As there are local residents using these car parks, surely this is unacceptable?

"I know season tickets don’t guarantee a parking space, but I’m sure everyone working for the council can park outside their own homes."

It is only going to get harder for Miss Dior as Whiffens Avenue car park closed on November 4, after plans were approved by the council for 151 apartments to be built there.

She said: "I’m not against the building of the flats either, as there needs to be more homes around Medway really, but I find it quite irritating to have to pay more than £500 to the council each year for a season ticket and I can’t even park outside my own home.

"It is just frustrating."

The 21-year-old says she tries to search for spaces in other car parks, such as Town Hall in Rope Walk, and Riverside in Dock Road, but often struggles to find a spot.

Head of Highways and Parking at Medway Council Simon Swift said: “We are sorry to hear that the lady is experiencing difficulties parking near her home.

"There are a number of car parks in Chatham town centre where residents and visitors are able to park including long-stay car parks at Chatham Riverside, Queen Street and Slicketts Hill.”

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