DOZENS of East Lancashire businesses have jumped on the London congestion charge bandwagon -- and are making money as a result.

Around 100 pre-payment machines are up and running in the county, giving drivers commuting to the capital the chance to pay the £5 charge in advance rather than driving through areas marked with a 'C' without paying up.

For every weekly ticket sold, the agent gets 50p, with daily tickets attracting a 15p commission from London-based operators PayPoint.

Drivers evading the charge could be fined up to £80.

Sucha Singh, who runs the Spar store on Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, has introduced a machine -- when the road outside his shop is the subject of traffic congestion complaints.

Mr Singh, who has run the shop for ten years, installed the machinery for the system this week as the charges went live. Motorists have take their car registration details into the shop along with travel date and fee.

"When people want to go to London they can pay their charge here, so they don't get fined," said Mr Singh.

"It's another facility for our customers. I'm not happy with the congestion charge but it gives customers the chance to pay in advance rather than wonder how they pay when they get there.

"I've already had one or two customers, on the first day. Most delivery people who come here go to London every day."

A spokesman for Transport for London, the public sector group running the scheme, which contracted the service out to PayPoint, said: "We're delighted the network has reached Accrington. This shopkeeper will be one of of a nationwide network."

PayPoint already provide outlets for people to bills including gas, electricity, and water charges.

Coun Tim O'Kane, ward councillor and portfolio holder for transportation, is currently helping residents campaign against Whalley Road's congestion problems resulting from traffic going to the controversial Whinney Hill Tip. He said: "It's ironic that on one of the most congested roads in Lancashire you can pay to get access to a city hundreds of miles away."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope gave the pre-payment scheme his backing although he said he didn't like the new charge.

"Excellent. I'll be popping along this weekend," he said.

"I drive down sometimes and if I do I'll make use of this facility. Lots of people who go to London for a break, on business, or even to lobby their MP. If they are going in the car it's better to be able to pay it in advance in East Lancashire than to end up with a £40 or £80 fine for not having paid it.

"I'm not a fan of the congestion charge. I can see it causing all sorts of problems."