BARGAIN hunters going to the January sales in Oxford are likely to face higher parking charges.

Oxford City Council said that it had not made as much money from parking fees as it had hoped this year and announced controversial plans to hit New Year shoppers hard in the pocket.

If the plans are approved, shoppers will be charged an extra 50p to park for up to three hours on weekdays in five city centre sites from January 1.

The Town Hall said the most recent increases - which came into force on September 10 - were implemented five months too late and charges were being put up again to meet a shortfall in cash.

The 50p increase is planned at the city council-run Westgate, Oxpens, Worcester Street and Abbey Place car parks for the 1-2 hour parking tariff, excluding Saturdays.

At the Gloucester Green underground car park, 50p would be added to the 1-2 hour and 2-3 hour tariffs - excluding Saturdays - and 30p added to outside the 8am to 8pm charging period.

The hikes could net the cash-strapped council - which needs to plug a £5.2m hole in the 2008/09 budget - as much as £100,000.

Last night, shoppers reacted angrily to the proposals.

Lydia Dunn, 36, from Great Haseley, said putting charges up yet again was appalling.

She said: "It does put people off."

Graham Jones, spokesman for the city's traders' group Rescue Oxford, said increased charges would deter shoppers.

City councillor Jean Fooks, who is responsible for Oxford's car parks, said the increased income would pay for the cost of providing the service and recover lost income.

The council's executive board will discuss the proposed increases on Monday.