VISITORS to a Pendle swimming pool will be asked to "splash out" a £2 refundable parking fee in a bid to discourage other drivers from swamping its car park.

Pendle Wavelengths pool, Leeds Road, Nelson, is introducing the fee after complaints by swimmers that shoppers and other town centre visitors filled parking spaces.

Now a £2 fee will be charged and the money will be taken off swimming charges.

Pendle Council leisure services manager, Phil Storey, said: "We have times when the car park is full near enough before the pool opens. This is obviously a problem for visitors to Wavelengths.

"We looked at a number of options and decided to introduce a £2 levy. If they are attending the pool they will get a discount on the activity. It will hopefully act as a deterrent. If drivers want to pay the £2 we will collect it from them.

Councillor Peter Moss told the council's services committee, which agreed the charge: "The car park is there for visitors to the facility and not as an overspill car park for shoppers or other visitors to the town."

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