A temporary parking permit scheme is set to be rolled out for the neighbours of a newly opened convenience store in Darwen.

Tesco Express began trading off Falcon Avenue late last year - on the site of the former Hollins Grove Liberal Club.

One of the planning conditions alongside the store's opening was for a residents-only parking scheme in Falcon Avenue.

Now a traffic order for the experimental scheme can be advertised after the go-ahead was given by Councillor Quesir Mahmood, the borough's growth boss.

In a report accompanying his decision, councillors were told: "In December a Tesco convenience store opened at the former Hollins Gove Liberal Club site, accessed off Falcon Avenue, Darwen.

"During the planning stage of the new store, residents of Falcon Avenue were concerned that visitors to the new larger convenience store would impact their ability to park near their homes.

"As part of the planning application it was agreed a permit parking scheme would be implemented, as well as an extension of the existing restriction of waiting parking restriction at the junction of Falcon Avenue and the A666 Blackburn Road to enable safe access and egress.

"Since the initial proposal was agreed, there has been a change of staffing within the network management team and the proposal was reviewed.

"The existing restriction of waiting in Falcon Avenue is only operational Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, while the existing restriction of waiting in Blackburn Road at the junction is operational Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm.

"As the Tesco store is open from 6am to 11pm every day, it was felt the proposed restrictions would not assist with parking issues outside the operational hours of the restrictions and potentially lead to both the junction and store entrance being obstructed by parked vehicles."

Councillors have heard there have been no reported personal injury accidents in Falcon Avenue in the last 36 months.

There had only been one in close proximity to Falcon Avenue, in Blackburn Road, which was classified as serious and a moped rider was injured. Parked vehicles were not a contributing factor in the collision though.

The residents-only parking scheme would be operational Mondays to Saturdays, 8am to 6pm, reflecting other similar initiatives in the borough, if not the store opening times.

Borough roads chiefs believe, as there are car parking spaces available at the Tesco store "there should be sufficient space for customers visiting the store to park" and "the...scheme will assist in preventing long stay parking, such as store staff, from inconveniencing residents."

Funding for the scheme is being provided by the store's developers and it will be reviewed later.

Waiting prohibition notices at all times will be posted near the Blackburn Road and Falcon Avenue junction if the plans are advanced.