Monmouthshire County Council has the most efficient system of car parking charges in Wales, it has emerged.

A study by the RAC Foundation showed that Welsh councils made a combined profit of nearly £14m in 2015/16.

Monmouthshire County Council was found to have the most cost-effective system, with a spend of £490,000 bringing in £1.4m in revenue.

The total — which includes on and off-street parking and penalty charges minus running costs —means the total across Wales has risen for the third year running.

Of the 22 councils in Wales, 19 made a profit, with Cardiff turning a £3.5m profit — the largest in Wales.

Three councils lost money — Flintshire (£423,000), Blaenau Gwent (£310,000) and Torfaen (£81,000).

Before running costs, local authorities had a combined parking income of £35.8m - a 5.6% increase on the previous year.

The RAC Foundation takes Welsh Government data on each local authority and analyses it.

Earlier this month, the Wales Audit Office said Welsh councils could raise much-needed cash by charging more for services, but warned against punitive rises discouraging shoppers and visitors.

Monmouthshire’s head of operations, Roger Hoggins, said, “Sound management and effective administration mean that we have restricted the costs of running our car parks, so we’re not surprised that the RAC Foundation recognises Monmouthshire as an efficient council in this respect.

“Surplus income is directed to the authority’s revenue budget but is redistributed towards traffic management as well as car park and highway maintenance.

“We are now investing car park income into extra car parks, new equipment and also refurbishment.”