TRADERS have labelled as daft a £2,500 scheme to secure a car park in Leigh which has meant it closes for Sunday and late-night Thursday shopping!

Shop owners in the town centre say that it is ridiculous to promote the town for extra shopping hours in the run up to Christmas and not allow the 46-space car park in Lord Street to be used.

A new entrance barrier and metal rails around the outside of the car park were installed after dozens of nearby residence had complained it was plagued by hooligans in the evenings.

They said boy racers used it as a skidpan to race cars and youngsters played loud music on car stereos until late at night.

Last week the barrier briefly trapped town centre workers who had not realised the new closing time of the car park when they went back to their vehicles.

There is currently no sign to say when the barrier is lowered - which is 6.30pm every evening.

One trader said: "It's a bit daft really. They are trying to promote Leigh for late night shopping and Sunday shopping but then they don't open this car park. It should be open."

Chairman of the Leigh Business Partnership, which represents the traders, Gordon Jackson said: "We are increasingly short of car parking. They need to be open for late night shopping and Sundays at least for the Christmas period."

The barrier and metal rails were installed several weeks ago to prevent the boy racers from driving at speed around the car park and doing handbrake turns.

Scores of desperate homeowners had inundated Wigan Council demanding action since the nuisance began 18 months ago.

Cllr Brian Jarvis said: "We have had a lot of pressure from residents to do something. A lot of youngsters in their cars were making a through nuisance of themselves. It was becoming a public order problem."

Responding to traders' criticisms, Wigan parking bosses and local councillors said there was not an "identified" need for car parking on Thursday evenings and on Sundays.

And they added a suitable location for a sign giving closing and opening times was being considered.

Head of car parking for the Wigan Borough, Stuart Bennett, said: "There is free car parking on the Bengal Street multi-storey car park anywhere above the first level for the next two Sundays and Thursday evenings.

"The on-street parking restrictions are lifted after 6pm on most double-yellow lines. There is no demand or need for Lord Street to be open at these times."