POLICE today reassured Nelson residents that action is being taken to stop a garage parking cars illegally in the town's streets.

Residents have complained that Nelson Car Centre, Rakehouse Road, is parking untaxed vehicles on streets causing parking and footpath obstructions.

Following a letter from a resident in Rakeshouse Road, to Pendle Council, the Nelson Committee will hear a report investigating the claims of cars parked in Alpha Street, Algar Street and Rakeshouse Road this evening.

The report, written by PC Karen Fitzpatrick, local authority liaison officer for Pendle Community Safety Partnership, said action has been taken against the showroom to combat the problem - however, she admitted, this may not always be visible.

She said: "Residents should be assured that action is being taken one way or another to monitor the situation.

"The action we are taking is not always visible. Action may be clampers, but it also may be a statement to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency informing them there are untaxed vehicles on the street."

Town Centre Wardens have been asked to monitor the situation and report any illegally parked cars to the DVLA, which is responsible for enforcing the regulations.

Their rules state trade vehicles do not require tax discs, but when on roads they need to display valid trade plates.

PC Fitzpatrick said the owner was aware of the law and said the situation had improved.

She said: "Recently the situation has improved and at the moment there are fewer untaxed cars on the street and on occasions none.

"But we will continue to be proactive in our action."

Philip Knowles, owner of the garage, refuted the claims. He said: "We don't ever park our cars outside. We don't want to upset the residents.

"The last thing we want is for the DVLA to come round clamping our cars."