DISABLED campaigners have won a victory in getting more parking spaces outside the Burnley town centre Shopmobility shop.

But the protesters are meeting again tonight to decide whether the council concessions are enough.

The row blew up when it was revealed that changes to the road lay-out in lower St James Street would leave only two or three spaces for disabled parking outside Shopmobility, which provides motorised scooters and wheelchairs so that disabled shoppers can get around the town centre.

Up until now between 20 and 30 orange badge holders have parked in the area. They protested that the changes could lead into the closure of Shopmobility and users of the service organised a 100-name protest petition.

Following discussions between Shopmobility and the council the proposals for the improvement of lower St James Street have been revised.

A maximum of nine disabled parking spaces will be created in the vicinity of the shop.

The proposed disabled parking bay outside the shop will be extended to provide five spaces. A further four spaces with a three hour limit will be created adjacent to the river wall in the Cow Lane car park behind Shopmobility.

A statement from the council said the original scheme had been decided following an 18-month consultation exercise with direct communication with all businesses in lower St James Street and a week-long display in the Charter Walk shopping centre. Council leader Stuart Caddy said: "The changes we have made will increase the amount of disabled parking by 50 per cent."

"These changes have been developed taking into consideration the Shopmobility users' parking needs, the needs of all the other users of the street and the need to ensure that the overall aims of the proposals are not compromised.

"I feel that they provide a balanced provision for both parking and loading needs without seriously affecting our aim to create a pedestrian friendly environment that will benefit all those using the street."

One of the campaigners Meg Harding said: "We know what the council is offering us and will be meeting to discuss it. We don't want to make any further comment until then."

The parking has been affected by changes to the traffic system including narrowing of the carriageway with one way for cars and a two-way bus lane.

It is part of a scheme drawn up by the council to improve that area of St James Street between Marks and Spencer and Westgate.