TRADERS in Bacup have started a campaign to solve a "car parking nightmare", which they say is driving shoppers out of town.

Jane Bowler, owner of J&D Discounts in St James Street, says the lack of parking provision is damaging trade and as a protest may even refuse to pay her £1,000 business rates.

A meeting has been set up on behalf of the Bacup traders and their customers and ward councillors have been invited to help influence the future of Bacup town centre's Masterplanning exercise.

Since the opening of Bacup Health Centre, Sure Start and Futures Park, people visiting the town say they are finding it difficult to find parking spaces.

Jane, 31, of Rawtenstall, said the problem could force traders and shoppers to quit the town.

She said: "The situation is getting desperate and it's not just me that feels this way.

"A petition containing more than 500 signatures has already been collected and sent to the town hall calling on them to take action.

"This town is going to die a death if something is not done about this.

"There are derelict buildings all over Bacup which could be put to good use and help solve the parking problem.

"I have had customers who say they have driven round three or four times but then still couldn't get a parking space. Everyone is talking about what a nightmare it has become trying to park in Bacup and councillor Jimmy Eaton has promised to support us.

"Bacup can't afford to lose any more trade because it's quiet enough as it is.

I am hoping the traders and customers will support this campaign and attend the meeting which I am going to chair.

"We need as much support as possible if we are going to have our concerns heard by the council."

Carmel Coaker, owner of Bacup News, added: "The problem has been fuelled recently by the new health centre, as wonderful as it is, all the doctors, staff and patients parking in the town is leaving nowhere for shoppers to park.

"The taxis are not helping the situation as they park in the spaces outside the shop leaving nowhere for customers to park.Many customers have told me that they have driven past my shop and gone to the garage as there has been nowhere for them to park.

"Parking is only going to be made even more difficult when the town hall staff are relocated to Futures Park and they come into town during their lunch hour.

"The situation needs to be addressed before people start shopping elsewhere."

The meeting will be held at Bacup Leisure Hall on September 19 from 6.30pm.