PEOPLE of all ages are constantly being encouraged to exercise and get involved in sport to keep fit and stay healthy.

The message is especially strong in places like Burnley which have too often featured at the wrong end of league tables charting life expectancy, disease and illness.

With that in mind it is seems strange that Burnley Council is considering introducing car parking fees for visitors to Towneley Park.

The chairman of the Burnley and District Sunday League, John Pilling, who is also vice- chairman of the Warburtons Youth League, has written calling for councillors to scrap the plans.

He fears the charges, which will also apply to anyone visiting the park, will discourage the hundreds who play there and already have to pay subs along with the volunteers who keep clubs going.

Mr Pilling also points out that he has travelled the length and breadth of the country and never been asked to pay for car parking when playing football.

The council should look at other ways to raise much-needed cash for such facilities without penalising people who are trying to keep healthy and become less of a burden to the National Health Service.