VISITORS to a local historic attraction will now have to pay to park there.

Parking charges have now been introduced at National Trust sites at Lambert's Castle, near Marshwood. Previously, it was free to park there.

National Trust members are still able to park for free by displaying a sticker or membership card.

However, for non-members charges start at £1 per hour and rise to £4 for all day parking. The charges apply seven days a week, from dawn until dusk, with overnight parking not permitted. Blue badge holders are still able to park for free.

Payment can be made via use of the PayByPhone app, by phone call or online.

The National Trust said it had seen an 'unprecedented increase' in visits to its sites in Dorset. By charging for car parking, it will be able to put the additional funds raised towards the care, maintenance and conservation of the sites and ensure that the parking areas are maintained.

Lambert's Castle is the site of an Iron Age hill fort dating back around 2,500 years; the ditch and bank are prominent as you approach the western entrance. It played host to a fair from 1709 until 1947 and there was also a horse racing track on the site.

A spokesman for the National Trust said: "By charging for car parking at Lambert’s Castle, as we do at many other properties, we will be able to put the additional funds raised towards the care, maintenance and conservation of the sites and ensure that the parking area is maintained.

"Parking charges are through PaybyPhone, but don’t have to be through the app. Visitors can also call the number or go online.  Parking is free for National Trust members, who just need to display their NT windscreen sticker, or place their membership card on the dashboard."