ORGANISERS of events at the Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis, may get extra free parking tickets in the evenings to compensate for a council decision to extend charging until 9pm.

The finance committee recommended the concession last week after receiving letters of objection from the Woodmead Hall Management Committee and Lyme Bay Photographic Club.

Organisers currently receive six free tickets per event at the hall but this will be increased at the discretion of the town clerk if necessary.

In a letter to the committee, hall secretary Mrs Pat Richards said her organisation did not feel the council realised the full implications of its policy.

The new charge might earn a few extra pounds from the tourists, but it would mainly hit those the council represented - the townspeople.

The increased charge would penalise residents supporting evening events and would deter supporters from surrounding villages.

It would also hit volunteer helpers, people attending rehearsals and members of committees who met at the hall.

"The Woodmead Hall is the town's community centre, the equivalent of a village hall. It belongs to the people of Lyme Regis," said Mrs. Richards.

Photographic club chairman Bernard Spencer said his group only managed to keep going by organising raffles, and having to pay for parking would put the club in the red.

The increased charge might force the club to seek an alternative venue outside the town.

Chairman of the hall management committee Coun Stan Williams reminded members that there was no charge for parking in neighbouring village halls.

Agreed Coun Ken Meech: "Maybe we do need to increase the ticket allocation to organisation users."

Coun Michaela Ellis said sometimes as many as 20 people were involved running a function. She recommended a minimum of 10 free tickets.

Coun Lorna Jenkin said: "The car park is not full in the evenings, so there is not reason for allocating more free tickets."

Stressed Coun Owen Lovell: "We want to substantiate who we give tickets to. We need supporting evidence."