WEYMOUTH homeowners have tapped into the huge demand for parking spaces in seaside towns post-lockdown by renting out their driveways.

People have flocked to the Dorset coast as lockdown restrictions were eased, causing a huge surge in demand for parking spaces for tourists.

According to YourParkingSpace, a company which allows homeowners and landlords to rent their driveways or unused private parking spaces, Weymouth saw a 320 per cent rise in rented driveway bookings since lockdown restrictions were lifted.

This placed Weymouth third on the list of seaside resorts which had seen the biggest post-lockdown rises in YourParkingSpace bookings, behind Southend-on-Sea (375 per cent) and Brighton (340 per cent).

Fellow Dorset town Bournemouth was also included in the top ten, with a rise in bookings of 220 per cent through the website.

St Ives (310 per cent), Great Yarmouth (285 per cent), Worthing (280 per cent), Margate (250 per cent), Blackpool (230 per cent) and Hastings (175 per cent) completed the top ten.

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace, said: "We’re seeing a massive increase in rented driveway bookings in seaside towns as Brits return to the coast following a relaxation in lockdown rules."

Meanwhile, further data from the online parking platform also revealed how much these seaside homeowners are actually making on average by renting out their driveways, when they are not being used, to other motorists needing somewhere to park. Weymouth residents were making an average monthly earning of £57 by renting out their driveway.

Brighton tops the coastal earnings chart with driveway owners making a staggering £162 per month on average with YourParkingSpace, followed by Bournemouth and Worthing where residents make on average £92 and £78 respectively.

Mr Woods added: "Our figures show that renting out an empty driveway is a great way for some seaside residents to earn an additional income.

"However, it is also a good opportunity for visitors to possibly save on parking charges as driveways can be cheaper than traditional car parks while also providing more social distancing room for the vehicle’s occupants."