RESIDENTS and businesses have complained about the number of second-hand cars being sold on a main road in Darwen.

Blackburn Road, from Hollins Road to Hollins Grove, has been the scene of second-hand car sales for many weeks.

Residents say vehicles are parked in the free parking spaces on the road in the mornings and taken in at night.

A total of nine cars have been counted in one instance and when the Lancashire Telegraph investigated yesterday, four cars were found.

The cars start from £495 for a red P reg Rover to a red K reg Honda CRX for £2,395 and display different phone numbers for potenial buyers to ring.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is investigating. Police said they would get involved if the cars caused an obstruction.

An employee at Surika House Residential Care Home said: "We have noticed the number of cars for sale on that stretch of road.

"We have our own car park so they don't affect us. If we didn't have our own space then it would be a big problem."

Local resident Harold Heys said: "The string of second-hand cars for sale along Darwen's main road is reaching nuisance proportions. I counted nine on the short stretch from Surika House to the George Hotel."

A 68-year-old resident said: "There's always a number of cars for sale during the day. I think they are bought at auction then put on the street to sell.

"During the day it is a problem because it is free parking they are taking up but they always get moved during in the evenings.

"There have been fewer over the last couple of days."

Coun Dave Hollings said: "The council is currently invest-igating and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."