A SUPERMARKET car park may be turned into a pay-and-display. The car park belonging to Booths, Station Road, Clitheroe, is currently free for store customers, but the supermarket now wants the council to take over its running.

Under plans agreed in principle by Ribble Valley Council's planning committee, the car park would remain owned by the store, but managed by the local authority.

A draft agreement between the council and the supermarket would see the store pay for new car park equipment and signs while the authority would patrol it, carry out enforcement and maintain the machines.

Cash generated would be split between the council and the supermarket with a redemption scheme for shoppers using the store.

A report by council street scene manager Graham Jagger told a planning committee that the move would help improve the use and turnover of limited available spaces in the town centre. The report said EH Booths felt it was in its commercial interest and the best use of the capacity of the car park.

The council ran the car park until charging was introduced in the town in 1996 and staff at the store have managed it since then.

Councillors chose in principle to enter into an agreement with Booths. They also asked for a report into possible charges and other aspects of the agreement.