THOUGHTLESS motorists have found a new spot to park to avoid paying a fee.

They are now clogging up Skipton Hospital's car park - making it impossible for patients to find a space.

John Daley, director of estates with Airedale NHS Trust, said the problem had become far worse in the last month since nearby Tesco had tightened up the management of its car park.

"People are parking at the hospital all through the day so it seems to be both staff from local factories and visitors to the town.

"Last week was particularly difficult as there was a very busy clinic and patients could not find parking spaces," he said.

Now the hospital management is putting up notices asking people not to use the car park and reminding them that the 75 spaces are for the exclusive use of staff and patients.

The day hospital runs outpatient clinics for people needing physical rehabilitation and physiotherapy and a good proportion have mobility problems.

Mr Daley said: "We do hope people will respect the fact that our car park is reserved for patients and visitors to Skipton Hospital and find alternative parking."

Tesco is the latest to become fed up at commuters using its facilities to park their cars while they work in or visit the town centre.

A spokesman for Tesco said that management firm CP Plus had been called in after customers at the Skipton supermarket complained that they could not find room to park.

All Tesco customers had two hours free parking and after that they were issued with tickets fining them £40. Prompt payment reduced the penalty to £15.

"We have had massive positive feedback from customers since the scheme was brought in," said the spokesman.