News that the residents only restriction at the bottom of Old London Road has been modified to allow free parking for up to two hours has been welcomed by local traders.

The council said it had responded to the concerns of residents when it implemented the 24-hour residents only parking in the area earlier this year.

But business people then complained that there was a loss of free parking spaces for shoppers, which was affecting trade.

Judges bakery owner and Green and Blacks choclate founder Craig Sams said: "This is good news.

"I'm delighted that the council has taken heed of the economic realisites of the Old Town, and I'm sure that its decision will make a huge difference to the traders in the High Street and George Street."

Council lead Member responsible for parking, Cllr Roy Tucker, said: "Parking is often a difficult and emotive issue, particularly in places like Hastings Old Town which was developed long before the invention of the motor car.

"As a result, we have very high demand for residents parking, but also for casual parking to allow shoppers and visitors to enjoy the local facilities. Quite simply, there isn't enough parking to go round, and getting the balance right on what parking there is quite challenging.

"Experience has shown that the newly created residents only parking area at the bottom of Old London Road has not been used to capacity, and that we could allow non-residents to park there too. We are therefore changing the restriction to allow non-residents to park for up to two hours, throughout the day.

"We are also looking, with our County Council colleagues, at a number of other proposals to try and make the best use of our limited on-street parking, including the introduction of a flat rate £1 charge for on-street parking in the evening, and the reintroduction of shared residents and limited pay and display parking at the top part of the High Street.

"We will also continue to work with the businesses' and residents' representatives to try and identify possible additional; spaces in the Old Town."