People living near Leigh Woods will be able to purchase parking permits from North Somerset Council in future as the authority seeks to alleviate issues on village roads.

Senior councillors rubber-stamped plans for a parking scheme to be introduced, amid fears streets could be clogged by commuters and nature-lovers.

Roads around Leigh Woods are often used by people working in Bristol and visitors to Clifton where restrictions are already in operation.

And the proximity of Forestry Commission woodlands and Ashton Court make the roads popular with people wanting to explore the great outdoors too.

Those issues mean residential streets are all too often clogged up, with only one-fifth of the 245 parking spaces being used by villagers.

The parking charges coming to Leigh Woods will apply from 7am to 10pm seven days a week.

Council papers said: "Pressures in the area arise from visitors to Leigh Woods, Ashton Court and, the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and visitor centre.

"The proximity to Clifton makes the area within easy walking distance and the on-street parking system in Clifton is leading to displacement of parking activity into Leigh Woods for visitors/commuters to Clifton."

Cllr Ashley Cartman, whose ward includes Leigh Woods, said commuters had spilled over from Clifton after Bristol City Council introduced parking charges there.

He said it was 'shameful' the previous administration at North Somerset Council had not tried to address the issue.

Cllr Mark Canniford, who is spearheading a district-wide review of parking, said: "This is our first sortie into residents' permits.

"A great deal of work was done by the previous administration. "This administration has a different view of how it should work.

"The proliferation of yellow lines isn't the solution.

"It will be further complicated when the Forestry Commission starts charging.

"We're proposing a principle of introducing a scheme.

"This is about addressing the parking issues and overuse of Leigh Woods."

Other areas suitable for such schemes will be considered, say councillors.