RESIDENTS in Moor Park have accused the council of double standards in their bid to make sure Preston's parks are not abused.

Last month the borough council unveiled plans to introduce an events code of conduct for people planning projects in the town's parks.

The code emphasised the need to introduce proper health and safety regulations. It urged park users to leave the sites as they were found - without the grass being churned up by vehicles.

But residents close to Moor Park say the council is as guilty as anyone when it comes to allowing vehicles to churn up the grass.

According to local Alex Brown, of St Steven's Road, council workers who operate the car park when Preston North End play at Deepdale are letting drivers park where they like on match days.

He said: "The Moor Park car park is used by the council on match days for people going to the game.

"They charge for people to park there during the game, but when the hard surface is full they let people park on the grass.

"There were several wet days last month and after the motorists had driven away our park looked like the Somme.

"It isn't as if it would cost money to keep them off the grass. All that is needed is a few cones. I have taken this up with the council and they said they would sort it out immediately.

"That was last month and nothing has changed. It is daft that the council should collect car park money and then have to spend money repairing the damage the cars cause."

The code of conduct was suggested after the condition of Moor Park deteriorated during the Ram Katha Hindu festival last summer. Councillors vowed no park should be left in that state.

A spokesman for the council said officers were investigating the match day parking matter.

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