A petition has called for St Peter's Hospital to scrap "immoral" plans to charge blue badge holders to park in hospital car parks.

Board directors of Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Trust - which runs the Chertsey hospital - announced that the controversial charges were being introduced as part of a review of their travel and car parking policy earlier this month.

An 'affordability criteria' - which has not been specified - will be implemented to assess which motorists will be eligible for free parking. 

The trust has already faced backlash from their own Disability Group - made up of patients and representatives from disability groups - who "didn't agree with the decision".

A minimum parking charge for two hours has also been hiked from £3.20 to £3.50 as part of the move.

The hospital trust had previously tried to hike the charges two years ago but a campaign managed to halt the plans.

Caroline Williams, from Hersham, has set up a new petition against the fresh charges on change.org, calling on fellow residents to "make our voices heard".

The campaign, started two weeks ago, has already racked up more than 300 signatures.

Commenters on the petition have branded the charges "immoral" and "ridiculous".

Barbara Barnes from Worthing said: "It is disgraceful you would penalise the disabled by charging them to park in a hospital, nobody goes to hospital as a pleasure trip."

Hugh Rolfe from Hersham said: "Life as a disabled person is hard enough, please don't do this."

Su Johnston from Leatherhead said: "It's not even just about the money - intentionally making life more difficult for blue badge holders is indefensible.

"Put up the price of something people can choose, not something that they have no choice about."

Ms Williams also questioned why no other hospital trusts in the area charge blue badge holders for parking.

She added: "How much have they spent on the proposed merger with the Royal Surrey Hospital, which according to their last financial report had been put on hold.

"Four years ago they were negotiating with the Epsom and St Helier Trust which they pulled out of at the last minute for financial reasons.

"Surely both of these proposals have cost thousands if not millions."

Chief executive Suzanne Rankin defended the measures, saying they would help support the "savings plan" of the trust, blaming the "financial climate" the trust finds itself in.

Graham Footer, chief exectutive of Disabled Motoring UK, a charity offering mobility information services, said parking "should be free" for disabled drivers, saying their transport choices were "limited".

The implementation of charges are being delayed until the end of the review - the date for which has not yet been set.

To sign the petition, click here.