MOTORISTS are being urged to boycott parking fees for a week as part of a campaign for free town centre spaces.

The call has been made by the new Free Blackburn Parking group, led by a businessman who calls himself Messieur Meteroff to protest his anonymity.

He is also urging drivers to display fake tickets with the slogan May The 1st Be with You', which can be printed from the group's website for the protest in May.

The group also encourages direct action on its MySpace website, by suggesting people vandalise parking meters.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and police are monitoring the website.

Mr Meteroff, who lives locally and has buinsess interests in the town centre, said town centre businesses had seen a drop in trade which he put down to the opening of retail outlets on the outskirts of the town like Next, TK Maxx and Matalan.

He said it was no longer a level playing field because they provided free parking whereas parking in the town centre is 90p for an hour.

The website has been running for about three weeks and has already attracted about 370 friends' - like minded web-users.

He said: "We are hacked off with the parking situation and this is a way of putting pressure on the council to make them sit up and listen."

The site features footage from video sharing website, YouTube, showing people blowing up a parking meter.

David Cottam, president of the chamber of trade, said: "I would not support displaying false tickets or vandalising machines. The right way is to negotiate with the council.

"We would love free parking in Blackburn but it's a pipe-dream, and we are never going to get it."

He said completely free parking would bring its own problems with motorists parking on the streets all day.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration for the council said: "While we acknowledge freedom of speech, we do not condone criminal acts."

Inspector Claire Holbrook said: "I urge people to refrain from committing criminal acts of any nature.

"Anyone found to be committing acts of criminal damage or violence will be dealt with appropriately."