Disabled Isle of Wight Council staff with a blue badge will now be able to park for free while they go to work.

When the staff and member parking policy was first introduced in 2006 it was free, but that was changed a few years ago and staff with a blue badge were either required to pay in a council car park or park on the road for free.

Councillors agreed to reverse the change and allow staff and members with blue badges to park at County Hall and Westridge for free.

Blue badges allow those with a disability or health condition to park closer to their destination.

The parking policy allows staff and councillors to park at a reduced rate in more than 50 council car parks.

The staff/member parking permit costs either £10 or £15 a month, depending on how much staff are paid, and is only valid when the vehicle is being used for legitimate work or council duty purposes.

Cllr Karl Love proposed a motion last September which called for the scheme to be extended to cover 24/7 parking in all council long stay car parks for staff and councillors.

In a report before members, the council highlighted extending the parking scheme "may give rise to public criticism, especially when the pubic are paying full price and less likely to find a parking space."

It would also have an impact on the council's parking income, it said, which is a key requirement of the authority's budget strategy.

Senior officers looked at other changes to the policy, including permit misuse and pool car parking, but suggested the only change, that was "necessary to amend" was for staff with blue badges.

None of the other proposed amendments were considered necessary "or appropriate", the report said.

When it came to a vote, all councillors were in favour of the changes to the staff and members parking policy apart from Cllr Love, who voted against it.