New data shows Breckland Council spent roughly £40,000 more on the scheme than was first reported.

The council spent the huge sum on surveys, consultation and legal fees before hitting the brakes on the plans last month in light of local government reorganisation.

The proposals had been highly controversial among locals in towns such as Dereham, Watton and Thetford, but the council said fees were necessary to pay for maintenance of the car parks.

However, Norfolk's eight councils all face the prospect of being abolished, with new councils created to replace them, as part of Labour's devolution and reorganisation plans.

Leaders at Breckland Council said the implementation of car parking charges would now be for a "future administration" to decide and paused the project last month.

Breckland........

© Eastern Daily Press