IF YOU'RE parking in Blackpool make sure you've paid - that's the reminder from Blackpool Council as parking metres are switched on in the borough.

A pay-to-park scheme - Making Space - begins in the borough this Monday (August 16) at 8am.

Drivers will have to pay a minimum of 20p for the same amount of minutes, plus a further 10p for every ten more minutes parked up to a maximum time of 60 or 80 minutes, on a number of Rds in and around Blackpool town centre.

The council's traffic wardens have been posting advisory notices on drivers' windscreens this week, forewarning them of new pay and display bays, and thanking them in advance for their anticipated co-operation with the scheme. Drivers who do not pay, or overstay, will receive a £60 fine, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Blackpool Council leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said: "Although there was a lot of publicity in the local press when the scheme was initially introduced and subsequently approved, we want to issue a gentle reminder to members of the public and keep them up-to-date with the latest developments.

"People who park, therefore, in the new designated pay and display zones up until the date the scheme goes live are likely to receive a small notice on their windscreen informing them of the changes.

"We would also urge people to carefully read all the notices in the affected areas and on the machines themselves."

Rds affected by the new scheme include Queen St, Topping St and Adelaide St in the town centre, where cars can be left for a maximum of 60 minutes. An 'outer zone' including Banks St, Albert Rd and Cookson St will also be created with a maximum parking time of 80 minutes. The scheme will be in force from 8am to 6pm. Hotel and guest house visitors in affected areas will be able to pay for up to an hour's parking the night before, using the pre-pay facility on the new parking meters, a council spokeswoman added.

Blackpool council began seriously considering on-street parking earlier this year, with the aim of freeing up parking spaces and increasing turnover.

Public consultation followed, and the Space scheme was approved by the council's cabinet in May.

The restriction for disabled bays has been extended from two hours to three hours in the daytime, with no restrictions in the evening.

Despite some criticism that town centre businesses could suffer under the charge scheme, Cllr Eddie Collett, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration, said: "Visit most town centres across the UK, and indeed Lancashire, and the chances are you will have the option to nip in and out of the centre, for a nominal fee."

On-St parking will cost 20p for 20 minutes, 30p for 30 minutes and so on up to a maximum of 60p for an hour in the town centre, and 80p for 80 minutes in the 'outer zone'. Drivers will not be allowed to return within two hours.

The scheme is in force daily 8am-6pm. St affected are: Abingdon St, Adelaide St, Albert Rd, Alfred St, Banks St, Caunce St, Cedar Square, Charles St, Church St, Clifton St, Cookson St, Dickson Rd, Edward St, General St, Leopold Grove, Lord St, Milbourne St, Queen St, South King St, Springfield Rd and Topping St.