NEW car parking wardens hit the streets yesterday with town-centre shoppers urging restraint - but residents in communities demanding action.

Council bosses pledged that their 20 parking attendants, who have taken over from the police in Blackburn and Darwen, would strive to be fair in handing out £60 fines.

Town centre shoppers and Blackburn's Chamber of Trade today revealed their concern that an over-zealous approach could damage trade.

But residents in the Infirmary area hope that the wardens are strict to stamp out the actions of rogue drivers.

They are infuriated after having to pay the council £10 a year for permits, even though the police have not been able to enforce the parking scheme.

Graham Burgess, executive director of regeneration at the council, pledged that the scheme would not be a money-making exercise.

Lancashire County Council has been criticised for saying it would book 150,000 motorists a year -- five times more than when the police ran wardens.

But Mr Burgess said there would be no targets in Blackburn with Darwen. He added: "We are trying to tackle unsafe and destructive parking." and that's our aim."

Raymond Goldstone, president of Blackburn's Chamber and Trade, said: "The wardens are a good idea but we don't want them to go running around like Zealots. Town-centre shopper, self-employed Ron Sharples, 50, of Wilpshire, said: "I think they should be sensible. If not, it will make people go elsewhere."

Another, Safik Alli, 29, of Revidge, a senior supply professional, added: "I have been put off coming here since they started charging for parking on the streets."

But residents of Longshaw Lane, next to Blackburn Infirmarysaid there heir street was a priority for council wardens.

Carl Scott, 35, said visitors to the hospital had even parked on his driveway.

He added: "A lot of people park on double yellow lines and that's a bigger problem as it could prevent ambulances and fire engines getting down."