SUNDAY shoppers in Blackpool are to get cheaper parking as part of a move to make the town a seven-day shopping centre.

Customers will be able to leave their cars in the Hounds Hill car park all day on Sundays for just 50p until the end of March.

And a new leaflet being sent out across the whole of the region outlines the facilities available for consumers, with 96 high street shops now open all weekend for a large part of the year.

The majority of these shops are big retail names including Marks and Spencer.

And the council hopes the decision to take the step of keeping parking prices down will help to attract out-of-town visitors.

The parking scheme is an extension of a similar scheme which ran over the Christmas shopping period.

Blackpool town centre manager Nigel Hanson said this represents a new era for Sunday trading in the town.

"It is all part of promoting Blackpool as a complete shopping and leisure package," he said.

"Virtually all of the large stores are now open on Sundays, with more than 80 staying open all year round.

He also feels the council's decision to reduce car parking prices has played a big part in this change.

"This move will encourage local people and people from around the region to use Blackpool.

"It reflects the strength of Sunday trade in the area."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.