FREE parking is to be introduced on a Black-burn town centre car park as part of an ongoing review of charges.

Early birds and last-minute shoppers will get the most benefit from the decision to open up the council-owned Blackburn Market car park for free from Friday.

Motorists will not have to pay before 10am and after 3pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Even if shoppers or town centre visitors wanted to stay until 11am or turn up at 2pm they will still only pay 70p.

Motorists will still pay £1.40 for two hours parking, £2.40 for under four hours and £5 for four hours or more.

The move is part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's fightback against trading rivals such as Preston city centre and the Trafford Centre.

Work is set to start on the £66m refurbishment of Lord Square and Blackburn Mall within weeks, and council leaders hope the parking sweetener will ensure shoppers remain loyal dur-ing the upgrades.

Proposals to offer limited stays at other car parks on the edge of the town centre are also being considered as well as a sliding price scale, starting at 20p for 10 minutes,.

Coun Alan Cottam, the council's regeneration executive member, said: "I hope this gesture of free parking helps to send out a clear message that car owners are welcome in Blackburn."

Blueprints for a new multi-storey car park, beside Waves in Feilden Street, have also been drawn up by the council.