A new system of parking fines could cause confusion and "chaos" with fines soaring, according to the AA.

The government plans to introduce a tier system of fine depending on the seriousness of the offence and where it is committed.

But it means that parking fines in London will rise by £20 for the higher level of each band of fine, with the most serious offence resulting in a £120 charge The Traffic Management Act will introduce five bands and each depends on the offence in question.

Parking on double yellow lines or in a disabled bay will attract the highest band while overstaying in a parking bay will be treated as a lower offence.

The AA estimates that three quarters of all offences will fall into the serious category.

Speaking to the BBC Breakfast programme, Paul Watters from the AA said: "It's a question of whether local authorities are geared up to do this, whether they understand all the implications of the new rules and whether motorists are going to find that authorities are acting fairly.

"There is a potential for some chaos, as authorities are going to have to run two systems together."