More than two thirds of car park machines across Dorset are taking cash payments again.

The announcement from Dorset Council follows problems with the machines first revealed last month, which led to some people shunning Bridport town centre as they were unable to pay.

Read more: Council apology as drivers cannot pay by cash at car parks

The council said drivers had to use cashless payments due to 'ongoing disruption' to many of its ticket machines across the county.

Other ways to pay involve using a smartphone although not everyone has this option, including some older folk.

The News was contacted by people who said they were unable to pay with cash to park their cars and didn't have any other means to pay, so drove home instead of spending their money in Bridport shops.

Read more: 'Sorry we didn't spend money in Bridport, the car park machines were out of order'

Read more: 'Car park ticket machines were broken - so I won't be shopping in Bridport'

Last month the council said the problem would be rectified by 'early December'.

The News asked the council for an update last week and was finally told this week: “The situation is improving each week, most car parks will now have at least one machine taking cash payments. About 80 per cent of our machines are now up and running as we expect them to.”

As well as faulty machines in west Dorset, there has been the added problem of car park cash machines being targeted by criminals over recent weeks.

Two machines - one at the Yarn Barton car park, Beaminster and another at East Street car park, Bridport have been broken into and money stolen from inside.

Police are investigating and are appealing for witnesses.