Councils in Kent made nearly £18 million profit from car parking charges and fines over the last financial year.

The county's local authorities saw a total surplus of about £17,962,000, up more than a million pounds from £16,334,000 in the 2014/15 period.

Canterbury council alone saw a surplus of nearly £4.5 million, more than any other council in Kent and the 43rd highest in England.

UK councils have come under increasing pressure in recent years as central government funding is cut.

Last year the government announced front loaded cuts of 6.7% between 2016 and 2020, on top of an 30% reduction between 2010 and 2015.

This has prompted some councils to look elsewhere for funding, with Sevenoaks becoming England's first 'self sufficient' council last month.

The Kent statistics mirror the increasing surpluses seen nationally.

In the 2015/16 financial year the 353 local authorities in England generated a combined ‘profit’ of £756 million from their on-and off-street parking activities.

This is a 9% leap on the 2014/15 figure of £693 million, and 34% higher than in 2011-12.

Once again the largest surpluses were seen in London with the 33 London boroughs making £332 million between them – 44% of the English total.

But despite the huge surplus collected by some councils, the RAC Association says the law prevents the extra cash being used for anything other than transport.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "We have total sympathy with councils struggling to make ends meet in the face of continuing budget cuts but less so with those authorities who believe motorists can make up the difference.

"The law is clear. On street parking charges should be set to manage congestion not raise revenue.

"If these activities generate a surplus – or in everyday terms a ‘profit’-then it must be spent on transport.

"The ultimate answer to councils’ problems is a better financial settlement from central government that recognises their responsibilities. Until then there will always be a suspicion amongst drivers that charges are there to fill a financial hole."

It's a message repeated by the Local Government Association (LGA), who say councils have to strike a balance.

Cllr Judith Blake, transport spokesman at the LGA, said: "Councils do not make a profit from parking.

"Income from on-street parking charges is spent on running parking services and surpluses are spent on essential transport projects, such as tackling the £12 billion roads repair backlog, creating new parking spaces and providing subsidised bus travel for children or elderly residents.

"Councils are on the side of hard-pressed motorists, shoppers and businesses but have to try and strike a balance when setting parking charges to ensure there are spaces available for everyone at all times of the day and we can keep traffic moving.

"The growing demand for parking from traffic increases on our roads means parking services are playing an increasingly important role in reducing congestion and keeping pedestrians and motorists safe."

The data – analysed for the RAC Foundation by transport consultant David Leibling – comes from the statutory annual returns that councils make to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells councils have been contacted for comment.