Wellington Town Council is set to split over increases in car parking charges.

LibDem council chairman Cllr Ross Henley is calling on his colleagues to back a motion objecting to rises of up to 60 per cent proposed by Conservative-controlled Taunton Deane Council.

But Tory councillors who sit on both councils are refusing to break ranks.

Describing the new charges as "a massive Tory stealth tax", Cllr Henley, who also leads the LibDem opposition on the Deane council, is campaigning to have them stopped.

Fees will remain unchanged for the first hour in Wellington but longer stay parking charges are going up by as much as 60 per cent - for example, 50p to 80p for three hours in the Bulford shoppers car park.

"The Conservative Party set itself up as a friend of the motorist but that has been blown apart by these increases," said Cllr Henley.

Objections have to be raised by Friday, February 6 - just days after the next town council meeting.

"We are particularly looking for the support of the Conservatives on the town council," said Cllr Henley.

"We hope they will put pressure on their colleagues in Taunton to stop these increases."