Parking fees at Oxford hospitals are to be increased by a third in a bid to raise revenue and cut debts.

Four hours' parking at the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals, both in Headington, will go up from £1.50 to £2, bringing them in line with charges at the nearby Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

Managers at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, responsible for the sites, said the move was one way to reduce debts, which have reached more than £7m in nine months.

At the same time, the trust needs extra money to improve parking, and wants to deter non-hospital visitors from using the car parks.

David Edwards, transport strategy manager, said: "We are taking forward our transport plans, and are investing in all parking. One way to achieve this is by raising parking charges.

"I think the trust's financial situation may have brought the decision forward a little sooner.

"While reviewing various areas of income it became clear our parking charges were significantly lower than at other hospitals."

Managers want to install a £30,000 barrier system for parking at the JR, so people would be charged for the time they spend at the hospital.

The system would be funded by the parking charge increases.

Mr Edwards said the rise would not affect visitors coming to see long-term patients, or patients visiting on a regular basis.

He said: "Patients who need to come to hospital frequently, like dialysis patients, will still benefit from free parking.

"People who are in for more than three or four days can also benefit from a £6 scratch card allowing their visitors to park up to seven times."