Health bosses at St Helier Hospital have announced price hikes in parking charges despite already being one of the five most expensive hospital car parks in England.

The move is believed to be part of a drive by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust to save £10million from its budget.

Customers using any of the trust's car parks at St Helier, Epsom and Sutton hospitals from August 25 will be charged £2 for the first hour's parking and £1 for every half hour after that with a maximum charge of £12 per day.

Parking is currently charged at £2 for the first hour with an additional charge of 50 pence per hour and a maximum charge of £8 per day.

Chris Bell, acting director of corporate infrastructure at the trust, said: "As part of the savings plan, clinicians and managers have been looking at every aspect of the working hospital to find where we can work more efficiently.

"This was a very difficult decision to make, but the increase in charges will make an important contribution to the savings that need to be achieved."

Mr Bell argued that although some charges are increasing, parking for regular patients and visitors and patients receiving certain treatments have been lowered.

He said: "We are substantially reducing our discounted parking charges, which will significantly benefit patients and visitors who need to come to hospital on a regular basis.

"These discounts will be advertised to ensure those who are eligible are aware they are entitled to them."

This new increase has prompted MPs and pressure groups to criticise the trust and demand the issue of hospital facilities and their costs be discussed.

Geoff Martin, head campaigner of pressure group Health Emergency, said: "It just seems as though they are trying to screw every last penny out of patients, friends and relatives.

"It sounds as though they are going to pay the price of the financial crisis the trust has got themselves into. The cost is already extortionate."

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said: "My main concern is the effect that this will have in the surrounding streets. Staff and visitors will park there to avoid these charges and this will only make things worse.

"We need an open debate on additional costs in hospitals from parking to using the television to get these hidden charges out in the open."