THE parking ticket office in Hemnall Street, Epping, looks set to close as part of a cost-cutting drive by the district council.

Council officers reckon shutting the "underused" facility would save it £22,700 a year.

The shop was set up by Epping Forest District Council with contractors Vinci Park as a place for residents to pay parking fines as well as buy new parking permits and season tickets.

A council report into the issue also said that increasing numbers of motorists were paying for fines and permits via its telephone hotline instead.

The closure has been recommended for approval, but no timetable for when it will shut has yet been published.

The news comes alongside a separate proposal by the council to introduce a new system allowing residents to pay for off-street car park space via their mobile phones.

A trial period of 15 months for the scheme, which is already in operation in 41 local authorities including neighbouring Redbridge, has been earmarked.