TEIGNBRIDGE Council made a profit of more than £8 million from parking charges in the last three years but defended the income, saying it helped to fund services.

The figures were revealed by the independent charity RAC Foundation, which accused local authorities of making 'a nice little earner' out of drivers.

In 2010/11 the surplus in Teignbridge, excluding capital expenditure, was £2,806,774.03.

In 2011/12 the figure was £2,686,917.98 and last year £2,604,618.59.