STRUGGLING to find change for the meter could soon be a thing of the past, if Salisbury adopts a pioneering new phone system for car-parking.

A local company is in discussion with the district council and hopes to introduce the revolutionary Park & Phone system alongside the current meters at all pay-and-display areas.

The idea is based on a system used in Sweden since 2001 and brought to Britain earlier this year, when it was adopted by London's Tower Hamlets in February.

Motorists who have pre-registered their details call a special number when they park, and the clock is set running.

When they return to their cars, they call the number again and the parking charge is calculated and debited to their credit card.

In London, the amount paid is calculated to the minute, rather than the hour.

The system can even send a text message to remind the motorist if they are nearing the maximum stay.

Simon Wood, of Payment Innovations, the company behind the system, believes it has a number of benefits for motorists, the council and traders.

"It's all about convenience," he said.

"You don't have to worry about having the right coins or deciding in advance how long you're going to be."

Mr Wood also added that many women motorists said they felt vulnerable walking to a meter and getting their purses out, which would no longer be necessary.

And he believes retailers would benefit, as shoppers would be less likely to be anxiously looking at the clock, and so spend more time in the stores.

Motorists would pay an initial charge to register and then a 35p transaction fee each time they used the system. Parking ambassadors would access an individual's details and check they had registered to park, through a small radio transmittor in a card kept in the car.

A council spokeswoman confirmed that officers have held talks with Payment Innovations about the possibility of bringing Park & Phone to Salisbury.

She said: "The company approached us with the system and, being receptive to good new ideas, we were keen to hear what they have to offer.

"We are still very much at the discussion stage but it is something we would definitely consider if we felt it was in the best interests of the customer.

"At the moment, introducing it is much, much further down the line, and would only be on a trial basis at first, to see if it could work here."