FREE parking in Blackburn and Darwen could significantly boost business for town centre stores.

That's the call from Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry, who wants local authorities to introduce the scheme to boost high streets.

He urged Lancashire County and Blackburn with Darwen councils look again at their proposed and new charges.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Mr Berry made the plea as he invited councils to bid for a share of £675million to regenerate their ailing high streets.

Tony Duckworth, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, backed the minister and called for the new Sunday charges to be scrapped and the return of free weekday parking after 3pm, axed in 2016.

Businessman and leader of Hyndburn borough Tory group Cllr Tony Dobson said: “Jake Berry is absolutely right.”

Mr Berry said: “If local authorities want to bring people back, give shoppers free parking on the high street so retailers can compete with shopping centres.

“It has been tried in a number of places. Where I have seen it succeed, the free parking lasts for two hours or so, and it means new people keep coming back with fresh money in their pockets.”

His comments followed a row over Lancashire County’s proposal to introduce 53 more kerbside pay-and-display machines to raise cash in town centres including Whalley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson, Burnley, Padiham and Great Harwood.

Earlier this month Burnley became the latest council to object to the plan.

In September the borough council introduced Sunday parking charges in Blackburn town centre for the first time and increased weekday charges.

Mr Berry said: “I would urge Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen councils to consult with businesses to see what they want and then look again at parking charges. My personal view is that a substantial period of free parking is essential.”

Mr Duckworth said: “Mr Berry is right. The council should scrap Sunday charges and bring back free after 3pm which was a success for traders.”

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “Council car parking is only a proportion of that available in the town centre and privately-owned car parks also charge.”

County transport boss Cllr Keith Iddon said: “This is not just about revenue but about managing kerbside parking in places like Whalley where people leave their cars all day deterring shoppers.”

Mr Berry said the Future High Streets Fund would look of new ideas to boost town centres such as locating child care, GP surgeries and civic centres in their midst.

The new campaign followed the recommendations of an expert panel led by retailer Sir John Timpson .