COUNCIL bosses are to write to 300 people who objected to the introduction of disc parking in Darwen in a bid to change their minds.

The move - because the council fears people have misunderstood the scheme - has been branded a 'ridiculous waste of money' by one market trader.

Peter Bell, head of traffic, said 300 people had signed a standard objection letter 'which did not fully cover the relevant issues relating to the scheme'.

He said they had therefore decided to write to each person to 'better explain the initiative' and ask them again if they still objected.

Some traders believe the scheme would 'scare off' customers and 'kill' the market, which has lost a number of stalls recently.

David Gee, a trader on Darwen Three Day Market, said: "No, we don't want disc parking.

"Sending these individual replies out is a waste of money that could be better spent fixing the car parks and providing a few extra."

Eileen Guy, chair of Darwen Shop and Business Association which has voted against the proposal, said: "Disc parking is not needed in Darwen and is just another barrier stopping people from shopping here."

If the scheme is brought in, motorists will have to place a disc on their window set to the time they arrived.

Wardens on patrol will then be on the lookout for any cars which have been left for longer than permitted.

The discs would be free and available in shops and in the early stages, from wardens.

Blackburn with Darwen Council announced the proposal in January after complaints that some motorists were abusing short-stay free parking.

Mr Bell, head of traffic at Capita Symonds, said: "More than 300 people signed copies of a standard letter objecting to the scheme.

"It has been decided to write to all the signatories to better explain the initiative and ask them again if they object to the scheme.

"A decision will be taken when all replies are re-evaluated."