AN EXTRA part of Darwen Market car park is being turned into short stay in a bid to increase the number of shoppers coming to town.

The three-level car park has a short-stay section on the top floor with the bottom two being long stay.

But from December 5, Blackburn with Darwen Council is enforcing a two-hour time limit on the middle level of the carpark.

The bottom level will remain long-stay.

Traders on the market said they understood that the move could encourage more shoppers to the town.

But some traders are concerned that the two-hour limit is not enough time for shoppers.

Eileen Guy, Darwen market hall representative, said: "We have had some people who are using the train to get to work to parking on the long stay carpark.

"And they take up spaces from customers so it will be of some benefit to shoppers."

Brenda Cronshaw, Brenda's Collectables in Darwen three-day-market, said it would have been better if the change had been brought in after Christmas.

She said: "In two hours you can't go the hairdresser's and get your shopping, or have a meal and go shopping.

"Two hours is too little time. Three hours would be better."

Clive Wilson, of Clive's Stall in Darwen three-day market, said: "I can understand why they are doing it but the time is too short.

"I think two hours is too short. There is a problem with people parking there all day who work in town and take up customers' spaces.

"Four hours would stop people parking all day and it would be long enough for people to walk round town, the five-day market and the three-day market.

"It is a bad move before Christmas."

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Bringing the middle level of the markets carpark into line with the top level, with maximum stay of two hours, will free up more spaces for the markets customers."