PATIENTS visiting the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday were surprised to find car parking charges had increased by 50 per cent overnight -- from £1 to £1.50. Here is how some of them reacted:

Jane Frappola, aged 41, from Westhoughton, who had been discharged from the hospital following an operation, said: "The increase is far too steep. I think if you pay for parking there should be someone to watch the cars."

Harry Wild, aged 57, from Great Lever, had been at the hospital for a check-up. He said: "They make you pay but it's so hard to find a parking space anyway. Many times I've sat in the car for 15 minutes waiting for someone in the hospital because I begrudge having to pay just to park."

Thomas Collins, aged 65, from Bolton, drove his wife, Joan, to hospital so she could see a friend. He said: "I don't mind paying because the cash goes back to the hospital. You have to pay to park in most places nowadays."

Dorine Jones, aged 59, from Daubhill, whose eight-year-old grand-daughter, Michelle Roberts, was having a check-up for a dog bite, said: "It's just not on. This is the last thing people want. They come to the hospital when they are unwell and the last thing they want is to scrabble around for cash."

Tom Messenger, aged 63, from Heaton, was waiting for his wife, Dorothy, who was having a check-up. He said: "If that is what you have to pay, then that is what you have to pay. The price may have gone up but not everything can be free."

Margaret Gascoyne, aged 63, from Bolton, was visiting a friend. She said: "It's terrible to increase it by so much. There are not enough car park spaces anyway. They should build some more car parks."