AN MEP has argued parking charges in a town centre should be scrapped after a survey showed nearly 23.9 per cent of all shops are empty.

Jonathan Arnott, the North-East's only Ukip Euro MP, said "drastic action" was needed to persuade shoppers to return to Stockton town centre.

Statistics released by the Local Data Company (LDA) last week showed the North-East is the only region in the country with an increase in shop vacancy rates by 0.4 per cent to 16.4 per cent.

Stockton has the fifth worst figure in the country for empty shops according to the LDA.

Mr Arnott said more must be done, especially in Stockton. He said: "Drastic action is needed. In Stockton, scrapping the first two hours parking charge would be a step in the right direction to draw greater business interest into the local area and shoppers into the town."

However Cllr Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Borough Council, which is spending £20m on refurbishing the town centre, said the situation was actually improving with up-to-date statistics showing vacancy rates were the lowest for three years.

He said: "These figures paint a picture we simply do not recognise. On the High Street itself around 85 per cent of the units are occupied and we offer business rate discounts to new and growing business. The thriving Castlegate Shopping Centre is bucking national trends and is 96 per cent let."

Stockton council will offer free parking after 3pm in the run up to Christmas.

According to the LDA, the North-East is the part of Britain where retail parks are performing best against high streets, with 18.6 per cent of high street shops empty, compared to 7.8 per cent in retail parks.