PARKING has long been a major bugbear for shoppers in High Wycombe, but there were spaces at Eden shopping centre throughout the day.

The early indications were not good, as full signs in Easton Street and Wycombe Swan car parks went on by 10am.

People were forced to park in the Swan's half-an-hour short stay slots or simply try their luck at finding a space.

But at Eden car park - formerly Newlands - and Dovecot there were entire floors which were empty. There are 950 parking spaces at Eden with 600 being built.

Dovecot remained the best bet for a parking space through the day as Eden steadily got busier.

Monica Brown, a 51-year-old housewife, from Green Hill, High Wycombe said: "It is not easy. I found it bit confusing because it is not clear where you are supposed to go when you are inside the car park. It is equally confusing getting out. I just had to drive round to work it out."

There were also complaints that corners in the car park were too tight to negotiate and drivers were worried they would clip their wheels.