MOTORISTS and shoppers are being encouraged to show their support of free parking by honking their horns at traffic wardens.

Free Blackburn Parking, which is led by a businessman who goes under the name of Mr Meteroff said it was part of his week-long rally to force Blackburn with Darwen Council to scrap parking charges.

He claimed that parking charges are damaging town centre traders and wants the council to re-think its parking and ticketing policy.

The group had urged people to display fake tickets this week that had the slogan 'May The 1st Be with You'.

But he said the group had decided to drop the plan in favour of publicity stunts and a poster campaign as they had started to alienate traders.

According to the Highway Code motorists should only use their horn while their vehicle is moving and there is a need to warn other road users of their presence.

Coun Andy Kay, who oversees the borough's roads policy, said: "I just hope the police hear people doing it and they get done for beeping unneccesarily."

He said the campaign was diverting the council's time and resources.

But added: "He's already called off one of his little stunts."