PEOPLE living in the shadow of one of Rossendale's most popular restaurants have failed in their bid to have residents-only parking introduced in the neighbourhood.

Members of Rossendale Borough Council received a petition of more than 75 names from people living close to Nino's in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.

The petition, presented by local councillor Graham Pearson, called for the scheme to be introduced in Greenbank Street, Rosevale Street and Wheatholme Street in an effort to end problems with diners parking outside their homes.

Restaurant owner Alex Pillitteri has said he is pleased that the issue seems to be at an end.

He said: "I don't understand what the fuss is all about. I have a car park for 25 spaces, which I have expanded as the restaurant expands, and people do park in the street.

"When people have space outside their home they think of it as their property, but that is not the case. I have been here for 15 years and never had problems with parking until this."

Coun Pearson said: "This has been a problem since I first started as a councillor in 1984 because of the parking that occurs as a consequence of Nino's.

"Despite the space now having been made available behind and taking away double yellow lines from next to the restaurant, the problem has increased because the capacity of Nino's has increased.

"I appreciate it would be difficult to police, but once we had secured the first one or two prosecutions, Nino's would soon send the message round to customers that they may be charged for parking where they shouldn't."

Coun Pearson said he was concerned about the safety aspect because double-parked vehicles on the narrow streets made things difficult for the emergency services.

He said he was sure the vast majority of people in the streets would pay a fee for a residents-only parking scheme.

But chairman of the development and environmental services committee Coun Christopher Wadsworth said he was concerned that such a scheme may open the floodgates to other areas, causing problems for residents and visitors.

Engineer and planning officer John Cowpe added: "I don't have the staff resources to monitor the scheme. Given that the police will not enforce it, if we are not capable of making sure the scheme works we could be charging residents for something they are not getting.

"I would then be accused of taking money under false pretences effectively."

Labour councillors called for the scheme to be introduced but Conservative members recommended no action be taken.