MP Janet Anderson has backed controversial proposals by Rossendale Council to start charging for town centre parking in Rawtenstall - although she is urging concessions for workers.

The plan has caused uproar with many people objecting to having to pay 20p to park in the town when they do their shopping.

But Rossendale and Darwen MP Mrs Anderson believes it is common sense, especially as many people commuting to work in Manchester come to the town, park for free for up to 12 hours and then get the X43 bus to the city.

Mrs Anderson said: "I know that parking charges are a big issue. I know that my colleagues on the council want to consult and achieve a consensus on this.

"But Rawtenstall must be one of the few towns in the country where people don't pay for parking.

"I have even had people objecting to the prospect of paying 20p to come and do their shopping and saying they won't come to Rawtenstall if they have to pay.

"Surely that's a bit excessive. However there is a case for those who work in Rawtenstall being given special consideration.

"But I cannot, for the life of me, understand why commuters to Manchester and elsewhere should be able to park in the town centre for up to 12 hours, entirely free of charge.

"This is, in my view, an abuse of public space paid for by the council tax payers of the Valley. It would not be tolerated anywhere else and it is high time we put a stop to it."