THE gloves are off! Troublesome motorists in Blackburn and Darwen will get a ticket from today if they break traffic regulations.

Blackburn with Darwen's new 20-strong squad of traffic wardens hit the streets a fortnight ago after taking over from police.

But up until this morning they had the choice of either giving motorists a warning notice or slapping a £60 fine on their windscreen.

They issued just eight penalty notices in their first weekend.

But from today, the option of a warning notice has been rescinded by senior council officers, who feel that motorists have had enough warning.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen, told a meeting of the authority's ruling executive board last night: "The softly, softly approach comes to an end from now.

"Up until now, the attendants have had the option of issuing warning notices. In some cases, the notices have been issued more than once but that stops now.

"The response from the public so far has been excellent

"We've been inundated with calls from members of the public asking for enforcement in particular areas, and this is something we are trying to respond to."

The scheme is in stark contrast to one launched across Lancashire last month. A team of 90 county council-employed traffic wardens issued 187 penalty notices in their first day of operation, more than half of which were handed out in East Lancashire.

Coun Kay said: "Residents living in the existing permit areas have rung up asking for permits, which shows they now appreciate the zones will be enforced and that they will be guaranteed a space with a permit.

"We are now looking at more permit zones in other areas where residents are complaining it is hard to park near their homes."