A PLANNED increase in town centre car parking charges is Burnley has been put on the back burner.

Councillors concerned at the possible effects on smaller shops in the town have asked officers to investigate the cost of free parking after 3pm on Saturdays in line with rivals Blackburn.

The parking charge review follows a directive to all service managers in Burnley to increase charges and fees by six per cent.

The cash strapped council has to save £850,000 during the budget process for the next financial year.

Proposed parking charge increases include a 25 per cent rise from 80p to £1 for stays of between one and two hours on short stay car parks in the town centre and from £1 to £1.50 for between two and four hours.

Coun Steve Wolski said he was mildly concerned how Burnley's short stay charges compared to those in other towns.

He said: "We want to attract people into the town centre. We don't want to be the type of people who don't attract people to the shops we have in Burnley very often selling specialised goods.

"We don't want to be driving away potential customers from Burnley."

Head of engineering and highways services David Wood said parking in both Hyndburn and Pendle was free.

Burnley compared favourably with other towns such as Blackburn, Bury and Bolton.