Research by the firm shows that the average cost of car-parking has risen by an average of 25 per cent across the country, with motorists in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, Ponteland in Northumberland and St Mary's Bay in Kent facing increases of 90 per cent in charges since 2000.

Perhaps unsurprisingly Londoners continue to pay the most in car-parking fees with two hours parking in Westminster now costing about £7.99, closely followed by second placed Islington at £7.32 and Heathrow at £7.01.

Car-parking fines have also increased with nearly one in five motorists being hit by a fine in the past two years, costing a total of £425 million.

"Parking is a bone of contention for most drivers in the UK and our research shows that because of rocketing costs and limited spaces drivers are literally forced to wittingly break the law – and consequently be hit with fines in the process," Emma Holyer, Direct Line's motor spokesperson, said.

This is cache, read story here