CCTV cameras will be used to help detect parking infringements from the end of this month meaning that the first that motorists will know about their offence could be when a penalty notice drops through their letterbox.

The new government rules also include the introduction of three new parking offences and changes to the way the current ones are enforced.

Cameras will be used across the borough to detect offences from March 31 - and notices of fines could take up to 14 days to arrive.

Fines will also be posted to motorists whose conduct is aggressive or violent and who leave the scene before a ticket has been properly issued.

Under current rules a ticket must be placed on a vehicle or handed to the driver by a parking attendent, or civil enforcement officer as they will be known under the new scheme, to be valid.

Motorists causing the most disruption through serious parking offences will also be targeted under the new scheme and will receive higher fines than those who commit less serious offences.

Offences such as illegally parking in a space for a disabled person will carry a higher charge of £70, an increase from the current £60 flat penalty, that will be discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days.

Drivers committing less serious offences such as overstaying in an off-street car park or being parked with the engine running will receive a reduced charge of £50, which will be discounted to £25 if paid within 14 days.

The new offences also include preventing motorists from parking in front of a dropped kerb in a special enforcement area, for instance one that has double yellow lines.

A rule will be enforced to ensure vehicles are parked no more than 50cm (or other specified distance) from the edge of the road, unless within a designated parking place. Motorists could be issued with a penalty charge notice if they park on the zig-zags near pedestrian crossings or other crossing areas under the new regulations which are part of the Government's Traffic Management Act.

Jane Miller, Doncaster Council Director of Neighbourhoods, said: "We're working to make the borough safe and pleasant for residents and visitors, and part of this is encouraging people to park responsibly.

"We will be publicising the changes widely before they come into effect at the end of March."