CASH-STRAPPED Ribble Valley Borough Council could start charging for car parking in an effort to raise much-needed money.

Councillor Graham Sowter said that the possibility of charging for car parks in the borough should be investigated thoroughly especially at this time when the council was faced with the prospect of having to make savings of over £400,000. He said: "Car parks are free in the Ribble Valley at the moment and everyone feels it is like treading on eggshells talking about whether to start charging for spaces.

"Nobody wants to be seen as the man who wants to start charging on the car parks but I see it as a possible way to save jobs and services - and that has to be a better alternative for all concerned.

"We need to know just how much revenue can be generated by a car parking fees scheme and then we can see if it would be worthwhile.

"The council is facing some very tough times ahead." The policy and resources committee asked for figures relating to Craven Borough Council which includes the market town of Skipton.

Councillor Sowter said: " We consider Skipton to be very similar to Clitheroe and it would be interesting to find out how much money is generated by the car park charges there."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.