CAR owners who can park for free in a busy town centre square are furious that they may have to pay for the privilege.

And firms located in Winckley Square, Preston, are worried that they may be forced to close, following council plans to put pay and display meters in the parking bays.

Currently drivers can park their cars in the square for an hour for free.

The council has already received 14 letters of objection, opposing the parking meter scheme.

And The Samaritans, also based in square, say they will lose volunteers if "life is made hard for them."

Sharon Stansfield, proprietor of Contours Health Club, in Winckley Square, added: "Small businesses suffer enough without being driven to closure.

"Businesses are already leaving Winckley Square. Is this what the council want?"

Joanne McLeod, regional secretary for The Law Society, in Starkie Street, was appalled by the charges, she said: "We pay hefty business rates and separate fees for parking -- a one-hour parking limit would have a bad effect on our business.

She added: "It will make sense for businesses to move to other areas. We are currently negotiating to renew our lease and unless Preston Borough Council are able to assure me that they support Preston's businesses we will move away."

Nigel Adamson who works in Starkie Street, Winckley Square, and suffers from muscular dystrophy, said: "I have severe walking difficulties and have to park in and around Winckley Square all day, which I can do under the present scheme.

"I found the proposed three-hour restriction for disabled drivers unacceptable for my, and other disabled drivers', needs."

Other firms complained that client's parking fees will be charged to the firm.

Peter Bulmer, director of environmental services said: "We must control the problems of congestion and pollution -- the trouble is that nobody wants to pay for a service that has been free in the past.

"We have addressed Mr Adamson's objection, on the issue of limited parking in Starkie Street for the disabled, and the charge has been lifted. The length of time that people can park has not changed, people will just be charged for it."