Swale has just joined the modern world when it comes to paying for parking.

People leaving their cars in Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham will now be able to pay for parking with their mobile phone with a new high-tech option that has been recently launched.

Local councillor Mike Cosgrove was on hand in Faversham to launch the scheme and to lead the way for technophobes.

The system, run by Phone and Pay, will accept text message payment or a phone call and will even have an app you can download to pay for parking.

Cllr Cosgrove said: “I am not the most technically qualified person, but even I managed to download the app and could see how superb this system is.

“The real beauty of it is you pay for the time you need and you don’t need to stick tickets on your windscreen as the information is imparted to the wardens on their hand-held device within seconds.” Although the new system was officially launched last month it was already up and running two weeks before its official introduction and more than 1,000 motorists have already used it.

Drivers can even pay for their parking before they leave home.