Hospitals have been accused of placing a "tax on the sick," with many doubling their car parking charges in the last year.

An investigation reveals that almost half of NHS trusts have increased their prices, with some taking in almost £4.5 million a year from the fees.

Patients groups said it was unfair to levy charges on people because they were unwell.

The Freedom of Information disclosures from 124 NHS trusts shows that 43 per cent had increased prices in the last year for visitors, staff or both.

At Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in West Yorkshire, the price for a four-hour stay went from £3.50 to £8 in a year. The trust made £1.3 million from parking in 2017/18.

At Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, the price of a stay over five hours has risen from £3.50 to £8 for visitors and patients, in less than a year.