People in Stonehaven can now ditch their pocket change and pay for their parking in the Market Square Car Park with their mobiles.

Councillors agreed to a six-month trial, which begins today, of the scheme using Parkmobile's cashless parking system which will work in tandem with the existing pay and display machines last month.

Car owners have to register their details over the phone and then tell an operator how long they wish to park for.

It also allows registered motorists to add extra time to their parking without having to go back to their car.

Traffic wardens will still patrol the square and will be fed information about which cars have paid though a palmtop device.

Chairman of Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee Councillor Paul Melling said: "This will make it easier for visitors and residents to park in Stonehaven and for local businesses too as people top up parking while shopping in the town without the worry of running over their time on a parking ticket.

"This is something we are treading carefully with though as we appreciate that it might not suit everyone, especially pensioners, tourists or those without a mobile phone. "The trial run will allow us to see what the response is like before the scheme is taken forward or not."

An evaluation of the trial is expected to be considered by councillors following the pilot to assess the benefits to the council and customers before decisions are made on whether the technology will be used in other car parks across the area.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee Peter Argyle said: "This is the latest example of how Aberdeenshire Council is using technology to find solutions for our residents and there are clear benefits to the mobile phone parking system for the authority too.

"There are still many people who won't own a mobile phone or are perhaps less confident when it comes to new technology, so rather than replace the system, it will complement the existing mechanism that operates across Aberdeenshire."

Traditional pay and display machines will be available in the car park during the trial. For further information on the scheme and how to register in advance, please visit the council's website.