Charges for Blue Badge parking at Kingston Hospital have been paused while a review takes place.

The trust introduced the charges in January and was subject to widespread criticism, including at a specially called council scrutiny meeting the following month.

It was agreed after they were introduced that there would be a review into the decision after three months.

Director of nursing and quality Sally Brittain said in a statement: "The introduction of charges was a very difficult decision to make, and has generated a great deal of debate.

"The trust has also received a legal claim challenging the process followed when the decision was originally made in April 2017.

"In light of this and the ongoing review it feels right to now take stock of the situation, and the trust has decided to pause charging Blue Badge holders for car parking."

Ms Brittain has previous apologised for the trust not engaging with the public about the decision.

Charges will be dropped from 8am on May 17 - badge holders will not need to register their number plate, but simply display the badge on their dashboard.

Representatives from the council Health Overview Panel, badge holders themselves, Kingston and Richmond's Healthwatches and governors of the trust will all be involved in the review.

To have your say, visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TMHBT5V before June 10.

The result of the review will be announced in July.