Anyone heading out for an evening in Braintree and Witham will soon have to pay for parking.

Braintree Council's cabinet has agreed to axe free overnight parking and introduce a 50p charge in all pay and display car parks, except the new commuter car park in Easton Road, Witham.

Only Witham Town Council had objected.

Blue badge holders will also be charged for parking, but will be given an extra hour after their ticket expires before being given a penalty charge.

The changes are in addition to partial parking charge increases in July, which affected George Yard, Causeway House and Manor Street in Braintree, and Newlands Drive, Mayland Drive and Mill Lane in Witham.

The new car park in Easton Road, Witham, will cost £6 between 4am to 9.30am the next morning Monday to Friday, £3 for 9.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday, £2 on Saturdays and Sundays up to 4am the next day, and £1 for 7pm to 4am the next morning every evening throughout the week.

The 10p after 3pm parking charge, first introduced in 2012, has been extended until March 31.

The council is also investing £270,000 in car parks, including resurfacing three.