LOCAL residents will be invited to take over the operation of car parking at Fulledge recreation ground on Burnley soccer match days.

For the last three years Burnley Football Club has been responsible for the arrangements with stewards from Rock Steady doing the work.

Paid parking at Fulledge was introduced in an effort to reduce the inconvenience suffered by local residents on match days.

Parking on the streets was banned and a £1 charge made for parking, with residents receiving free permits.

Burnley's recreation and leisure committee has been told it was intended that surplus income would be put aside to improve the recreation ground. But only a small amount has been spent on filling potholes.

About £6,000 was available towards further improvements but the money was still with the football club.

Parks services manager Vincent Gradwell said the scheme could continue or they could utilise the services of the Royal British Legion who operated other car parks in Burnley.

The alternative was to devise a system of volunteers from local community groups. They would receive half the income with the rest being spent on upgrading the recreation ground.

The committee agreed to the volunteer scheme and to increase the parking charge to £1.50.

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