AS Christmas draws nearer, shoppers are crowding into East Lancashire's shopping centres on weekdays as well as weekends.

That brings traffic problems as drivers jostle for spaces or park thoughtlessly blocking entrances, bus stops and the approaches to pedestrian crossings.

Scarce police resources have to be prioritised and that inevitably means chasing robbers and violent criminals are considered more important than going after motorists who have committed parking offences.

Recognising this, from next July local authorities take over responsibility for controlling illegal parking with their own traffic wardens on patrol. As a result many parking charges, a source of anger for a lot of motorists, will go up to pay for the people who will be enforcing them.

Ribble Valley councillors, for example, are increasing penalties in their pay and display car parks from £25 (or £5 if paid on the day) to £60 (or £30 if paid within 14 days).

That revenue will be needed to enable the council to employ people to deal quickly with drivers who stop to shop in Clitheroe's narrow, windy streets and leave congestion and chaos in their wake.

There are complaints that parking charges only drive motorists to out-of-town stores where there are no costs and plenty of space. But before they can enjoy such freedom in town centres, drivers have to learn consideration for others.