Drivers using Cheshire East Council car parks are being urged not to use the pay by phone app service at present.

The council says it has been informed by the PayByPhone operator that some customers may experience issues when trying to pay and their payment may be declined.

A statement from Cheshire East said: "Cheshire East Council is advising customers using its car parks across the borough not to use the PayByPhone service at the present time.

"The council has been informed by the operator that some customers may experience issues with transactions while merchant banks and payment services providers deal with some issues affecting their services.

"Until the current issue is resolved, customers are advised to use cash, credit, or debit card. It is hoped that the PayByPhone service will be fully restored as soon as possible.

"PayByPhone have informed the council that they have become aware of a 'significant number' of transactions being declined as app providers and merchant banks carry out improvements to their systems.

"The problem is not confined to PayByPhone but other digital vendors too."

One driver tried to contact the parking app company after her payment was declined at a Cheshire East car park on Thursday.

"I tried to pay several times paying with the PayByPhone app, as I have many times before, and it kept saying my card had been declined," said the woman.

"When I tried to use my card later for a shop purchase it was also declined.

"I contacted my bank but was told my later transaction had been declined because I had tried to use the parking app too many times that day. The bank said it appeared my parking payment had been declined because of a technical issue."

The woman added: "If your card is declined for parking you automatically try it again – which resulted in mine being shut down for future transactions. That could prove a problem for people if they only have one card with them."