A decision to charge churchgoers for parking in Oxford on Sunday has been condemned as a tax on worshippers.

At a meeting of the highways and traffic committee yesterday, councillors agreed to increase Sunday charges at city centre car parks to bring them in line with the rest of the week - but rejected a plan to hand out parking permits to churches.

The chairman of the committee, Liberal Democrat Stephen Struthers, said the decision was "a tax on worshippers".

He added: "The Liberal Democrats proposed a permit scheme for churchgoers and those from other faiths."

Eight hours or more at all city centre car parks on Sunday will now cost £15, apart from Gloucester Green where the charge will be £17.

The increase on Sunday will raise more than £300,000 a year.

Charges at suburban car parks are also going up, in some cases double to £10, and Ferry car park will see an increase from £2 to £10. Increases are also being introduced at car parks in Headington, Summertown, St Clement's, St Leonard's Road, and Union Street.

Twenty city centre churches hoped they would be allowed up to 20 parking permits each for worshippers but Labour and Green councillors united against the Liberal Democrat proposals.

The refusal to allow a permit scheme was reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail.

The committee heard that permits for churchgoers would have cost the council about £30,000 a year in lost revenue.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jean Fooks said: "Churchgoers are being sacrificed on the altar of Sunday shopping."

Barbara Hayes, industrial chaplain for the Churches of Central Oxford, which represents 20 churches, described the council's decision as disappointing.

She said: "Worshippers recognise the environmental issues but it is a pity the council could not offer some sort of compromise."

Proposals to allow disabled badge holders to park free for three hours at Union Street and St Clement's car parks will be discussed at the East Area Parliament Committee on October 31.

Proposals for a similar concession for the disabled at other city centre car parks will be discussed at a later date.

Graham Jones, a spokesman for traders' group Rescue Oxford said the increases could force shoppers to visit other cities.