RAIL bosses have warned town centre workers not to leave their vehicles in a Blackburn station car park as they struggle to grab a suitable space.

The park and ride car park behind the station is supposed to be for train users only but has become crowded in recent weeks after the loss of cheap or free daily parking places elsewhere in the town.

Cars parked behind the station were targeted this week and notes stuck to windscreens asking everyone except rail passengers to leave.

The note from Simon Ashworth, a customer services manager for First Travel, said: "This car park is for rail users ONLY.

"If you are on railway business we thank you for your custom."

The note goes on to warn drivers that if they do not park elsewhere, they could be in breach of "railway bylaws".

The car park was virtually deserted the day after notes were left as workers tried to park elsewhere.

Town centre parking is at a premium in Blackburn after Morrisons supermarket introduced pay and display parking at its town centre multi-storey car park, prompting many who used the site to look elsewhere.

Morrisons introduced the new system at its 700-space car park in Blackburn in March, following concern that too many people were using it without visiting the store.

There is now a two-hour time limit on the ground floor car park, with a charge of £1 for non customers. Prices on the top floor of the car park rise to £4 for an eight hour stay.

Other unofficial parking sites such as close to the former Millennium nightclub have also disappeared due to redevelopment.

Raymond Goldstone, president of Blackburn's Chamber of Trade, said: "There is a shortage of free car parking in the town centre.

"It's something that needs to be sorted out. The more parking there is, the better it is for Blackburn."

Blackburn with Darwen Council is exploring building a town centre multi-storey car park close to Waves swimming baths in Barton Street and introducing park and ride schemes.