AT a time when many traders fear the impact of retail parks on business, councils should be doing all they can to help attract shoppers into our town centres.

So the decision to increase car-parking charges in Blackburn must be like a dagger to the heart of retailers.

To do it in the run-up to Christmas, a time when shops rely on a trade boost, has, not surprisingly, left market stallholders and retail bosses aghast.

The fact that the increase also comes after an annual independent survey of town centres revealed around 18,000 fewer shoppers will visit Blackburn this year - costing traders around £37million - underlines the concern.

Blackburn with Darwen Council attempts to justify the move by saying it is the first for two years and represents an "across-the-board" inflationary rise.

But tell that to the people who in certain car parks will be paying an extra 28 per cent!

Surely the council should be doing all it can to attract Christmas shoppers with their massive spending power.

Why can't it answer the Chamber of Trade's call for free parking for festive shoppers instead of seemingly cashing in on the reported dwindling numbers of people attempting to support town centre traders?