THE Darwen Chamber of Trade has spoken out against plans to introduce disc parking in the town.

Council bosses said they had come up with the idea after complaints that some motorists were abusing the town's short-stay free parking spaces.

If brought in motorists will have to place a disc on their window set to the time they arrived.

Wardens on patrol will then be on the lookout for any cars which have been left for longer than permitted.

Those motorists would faced a fixed penalty notice.

Disc parking has been introduced in other East Lancashire towns to mixed results.

Hyndburn had used the discs for 10 years but scrapped the system last year.

Council leaders in Hyndburn said that the scheme had put people off visiting the town, especially those from out of the borough who were not familiar with the discs.

Rossendale Council introduced disc parking in December after a consultation .

Andrew McAllister, president of Darwen Chamber of Trade, said the council should keep the status quo.

He said: "It has been tested in a lot of other towns and removed.

"I think our parking is fine and two hours is more than enough. There is no real need to bring in the discs."

But Dave Grogan, who owns Solitaire Fashions, Duckworth Street, thought it was a good idea. He said: "I think it could work well to free up spaces that are being used by commuters and occupying a potential shopper's space.

"It could work well as long as it's not too far out of the town.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is now consulting with residents, traders and motorists about the idea until February 29.

The discs would be free and reusable. A council spokesman said that they would be available in shops and in the early stages, from parking wardens.

He said: "I think there will be leniency in the early weeks of the scheme."

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "The idea behind the use of parking discs is to encourage a quick turnover of spaces giving the public a better opportunity of finding a parking space. It will mean more shoppers being able to come to the town centre.

"But we want to hear if motorists think the scheme is a good idea and I urge people to have their say."