PLANS to impose countywide parking charges have been shelved for a year after a fierce campaign by the Merc and Milford Haven Chamber of Trade.

Charges of 40p for two hours, 60p per four hours and £1 daily were proposed for Robert Street, Lower Charles Street and Market Square car park.

In Pembroke Dock charges of 50p for two hours and £1 for four hours for Gordon Street car park were planned.

Chamber of Trade chairman, Viv Phillips, said: "This is wonderful, the county council actually seem to be listening to people. Blanket charges would just not have worked and I am glad they are now going to look at the situation more closely."

Mayor of Milford Haven, Eric Harries, who last week wrote to the county council to say he thought the plan was not economically viable, said: "We are pleased that a review of the situation is taking place and we hope that afterwards the decision will be not to impose the charges."

Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Sue Perkins, said: "I am delighted that they have decided to shelve these plans for a year and do the analyse they should have done in the first place.

"We will have to be watchful next year though."

It was feared that the additional expense would have driven shoppers from the town centre to large supermarkets that provide free parking.

A county council spokesman said that at a county council cabinet meeting on Monday the authority decided to review the car park management, policy and the economic activity that the service supports.

They said: "This review will start in April this year and conclude by April 2008 following which a further report will be made to cabinet detailing the review's findings and recommendation."