Locals in Dover say parking at the White Cliffs - one of Britain's most iconic tourist spots - should be free after a "ludicrous" hike."

Residents say they should not have to pay or at least receive a discounted rate after the National Trust announced a rise in daily fees of 20 per cent from £5 to £6.

The charity says its running costs have risen in recent years and the parking charges will help to fund its care of wildlife around the famous cliffs on the Kent coastline.

The Trust is also raising fees for motor homes from £7 to £9 but stressed that the increase is the first in five years.

However, locals believe the National Trust's plans to increase daily parking charges there to £6 a day next month are an insult to those living in the seaside town.

One resident, Mark, said the increase was "ludicrous, especially for people who live in Dover."

He added: "That's our heritage. We live here and we should be parking for free - or at least there should be a discount, without a shadow of a doubt."

Others took to social media to vent their frustration at the parking fee hike.

As well as locals, the picturesque cliffs also attract many tourists from other parts of the UK and abroad.

One woman, Hannah Watkins, disagreed with the increase in parking fees - saying she feared it could discourage visitors.

"I'm against it," she said. "I think £5 is sufficient and a lot of tourists already use facilities like the café, which brings in a lot of revenue."

"It would be a shame to discourage some people from coming here."

Naman Vichhivora, who lives in Rotherhithe in southeast London, said he thought the increase was acceptable so long as the extra money was used for the maintenance of the cliffs.

He said: "I hope the charges would be lower because it doesn't really make sense to hike them up if it's not needed."

"But, if it's being used for something good like maintaining the cliffs, then it's fine."

Chris Haughton, originally from the nearby village of Eythorne in Dover, now lives in Lancashire and recently revisited the area on holiday.

As a member of the National Trust, however, he gets free parking and believes the rise is acceptable.

"It costs an absolute fortune to maintain facilities like this and they are really good," he said. "

"I'm also pretty certain the National Trust wouldn't put charges up if it wasn't essential to do so."

Virginia Portman, general manager at the White Cliffs of Dover, said revenue from parking fees is "vital" for local wildlife. "

"This is not a decision we've taken lightly," Ms Portman said. "

"It will be the first time we've raised fees since 2019. "

"However, we realise it will be difficult for some of our visitors and are very grateful for their understanding."

"In common with most other organisations, our costs have risen steeply over the past few years. "

"As a conservation charity, we rely on vital parking income for our work to help nature thrive here at the cliffs, and to improve visitor facilities."