AN unpopular hike in car parking charges across East Hampshire, aimed at boosting income for the district council, appeared to have backfired on the authority last week.

Senior district councillors were left bemused as they were presented with the latest figures showing revenue from their car parks was £25,000 below their own budget projection - despite the charge increase introduced in February.

An immediate investigation into the figures has been launched, and officers have stated that car parks in Petersfield and Alton are the main concern.

Officers are looking at a number of possible causes of the shortfall, including adverse public reaction to the fee hike, increased on-street parking and more use of non-EHDC car parks.

Other factors could be the transferring of tickets and ticket dodging.

Whatever the reasons, the news left senior councillors at last week's cabinet meeting scratching their heads.

Elizabeth Cartwright, who had overseen the charge increase as leader of the council earlier this year, was left bemused by the figures, particularly for Petersfield's central car park.

"I find it unbelievable that income in the central car park is down. It is still as full as ever, you have to fight to get a space," she said.

The leader of the council, Andrew Pattie, was also at a loss to explain the shortfall.

"I find it astonishing," he said.

It was certainly not the outcome Tory councillors had been hoping for when they announced the charge increases last December.

The scheme had been devised to increase income by nearly £250,000 and help plug a funding shortfall of £750,000.

But, based on the 2004/05 first quarter report, the actual figure could fall £100,000 short of predictions.

And car park users will be bracing themselves again next month as the cabinet is set to discuss further recommendations regarding charging hours and the future of council-owned non- pay and display car parks.