THE first four electric vehicle charge points in Blackburn and Darwen Council-owned car parks will be installed by the end of the week.

Cllr Phil Riley, the borough's highways boss, revealed that he hope all 13 would be ready to use within a fortnight.

He told Thursday's Council Forum that in addition to the initial set of charge points another town were planned for the underground car park of the proposed new Reel Cinema on the site of the former Waves Water Fun Centre on Nab Lane.

Cllr Riley said: "We have decided to go ahead with this swiftly as it is slightly overdue.

"It will encourage visitors with electric cars to come to the borough and it will prevent the possibly of them becoming marooned. This is move into an environmentally-friendly future.

"The first four on Brown Street car park will be installed and ready for use by the end of next week."

He said there would be three on Feilden Street car park and two on Weir Street car park in Blackburn while in Darwen there would be two on each of the Varley Street and Market rooftop car parks.

Mill Hill and Moorgate Labour councillor Julie Gunn said: "This is a bold and welcome step."

Cllr John Slater, leader of the council Tory group, said: "This is a good move."