MOTORISTS say their town has descended into "chaos" because of a "nightmare" loss of parking spaces.

Commuters and shoppers in Gravesend say they face misery after most of Parrock Street car park closed on Monday.

The 655-space car park is closed for 29 weeks for repairs, although 200 spaces will be left available at any one time.

More than 1,000 spaces have now been lost in Gravesend since October, when the Lord Street car park was sold to developer Barratt Homes for conversion into flats and commercial space.

Traffic wardens were posted at Parrock Street to help drivers find a spot after 200 spaces had filled up.

Those looking elsewhere to park said they had a "nightmare" locating a space in council-run car parks.

And many were forced to spend an extra £7.50 to park for the day in the privately-managed Thamesgate car park.

Sales assistant David Tettmar, 22, from Sittingbourne, says his parking costs will increase from £12.50 a week in Parrock Street to £50 a week in Thamesgate unless he finds somewhere else to park.

He said: "The whole town was jammed with people looking for a parking space. It was a nightmare."

Jewellery shop manager Adrian Eve says people were desperately ringing him and asking where he was parked as they could not find a space.

He said: "I could not get in anywhere."

Manager of BSB Shop.com-Inspired by Light in Manor Road, Gary Catchpole, said: "It's chaos on this road."

Retired William Dixson, 71, of Hillside Avenue, Gravesend, arrived in town 30 minutes before the shops opened to secure a space.

He said: "I am disabled and I got the last space. It's terrible."

But those seeking short-term spaces before work still managed to find parking.

Accountant Trevor Cripps, from Trottiscliffe, said: "It's about the same. There was plenty of room."

Gravesham Council leader Councillor John Burden said: "The partial closure of Parrock Street car park has obviously led to some teething problems.

"We appreciate the inconvenience some motorists have faced, not just by the parking changes but also as a result of roadworks and street lighting replacement carried out by Kent County Council."