RESIDENTS have hit back at plans to introduce parking charges in the centre of a market town.

Shopkeepers and councillors in Barnard Castle, County Durham, said Teesdale District Council's plan to levy charges on the market place cobbles is a ploy to increase revenue.

The council expects to raise £45,000 a year by charging for the 75 parking spaces.

Maurice Abrahams, who runs a second-hand books shop in the market place, said: "This is just a money grabbing scheme and another nail in the coffin for the town.

"Although something needs to be done about the parking, I'm against people having to pay for it. I'm sure it will deter shoppers and visitors."

Currently, the parking is limited to two hours, but there has been no organised enforcement of the parking.

Teesdale council has taken over the management of the market place on a 50-year lease from Raby Estates.

Mark Ladyman, the council's director of community services, said the money raised from the parking charges will be used for repair and maintenance costs and health and safety liability.

He said: "We've made a commitment to take the cobbles over and we need funding to make them safe and repair them.

"We will have to go through a consultation period to get a Car Parking Order where we will let people know what we are proposing."

The council will bring the charges in line with the town's pay-and-display car park in Galgate, which charges 60p an hour. However, there are plans to introduce an hourly rate.

The social and environmental policy committee will consider the proposal on Wednesday.