A 10-minute grace period for drivers parked in council-run spaces to be introduced by the Government has been welcomed by East Lancashire leaders.

The rule change has been announced by community minister Eric Pickles MP as part of the Deregulation Bill which is expected to be passed ahead of the general election in May.

The extra time is being brought in to tackle so called 'over-zealous' traffic wardens, reduce kerbside rage and to boost town centre trade.

By the summer wardens will be banned from fining motorists as soon as their paid-for time runs out.

New guidance will warn councils that they cannot profit from parking enforcement, while powers will be handed to residents and businesses allowing them to request a review of paring arrangements.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: "I think it's great news because it's really important that we support high streets, town centres and small businesses.

"A lot of people have told me of their concerns about parking charges and this will relieve some of those worries."

Tony Duckworth, president of Blackburn with Darwen Chamber of Trade, said: "This will help to boost trade in the borough and help support local small businesses."

The leader of Burnley Council, Cllr Mark Townsend, said: "Generally I'm in favour of giving people leeway.

"We do not want people getting fined for being one or two minutes late but you still have to have a cut off point."

However, the leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council has questioned the scheme and called into question whether it will work.

Cllr Stuart Hirst said: "I would approach this with a great deal of caution.

"I suspect that people will automatically add on 10 minutes and still turn up late.

"It might actually not achieve the objectives that have been set out.

"The only way to find out is to implement it which we will so and we will have to wait and see.

"I'm not overly convinced that it will work but the council is always supportive of being reasonable with people but I think we already are."

The grace period will apply irrespective of the amount of time paid for meaning that a 20-minute ticket would effectively be extended to 30 minutes, The change doe snot apply to private car parks such as those run by NCP.