CAR parking charges could be introduced in two town centres in a move to attract more shoppers.

Derwentside District Council is considering introducing fees for some car parks in Stanley and Consett, plus parts of the village of Lanchester.

The authority commissioned an independent car parking study earlier this year, in the face of widespread complaints from shopkeepers that a lack of spaces was damaging trade.

The results were discussed at a meeting behind closed doors. But The Northern Echo has learned that charges could be introduced by 2006.

Peter Reynolds, the council's head of environmental services, said: "We are looking at the possibility of car parking charges.

"We are examining how those spaces are sited in the centres of Consett, Stanley and Lanchester and the best way to support trader activities."

Derwentside is the only local authority in the North-East that does not charge for off-street parking.

Mr Reynolds said that the same traders concerned about a lack of parking were adding to the problem.

"The car parking strategy does clearly highlight that the prime car parking spaces closest to the centres are being taken up by the people who work in the shops," he said.

"That means that some of them are parked there for six to eight hours on a week day, so there is not that turnover of spaces we need to add vitality and support the regeneration of our town centres.

"We know people have concerns, but concerns about the impact on trade do not seem to be borne out by the study."

Mr Reynolds said that fee-charging car parks would be upgraded to ensure people felt safe leaving their cars for extended periods.

"It is a source of revenue that any competent local authority should be looking at," he said. "But ultimately, the council can still decide that it does not want to pursue it."

One option being examined that does not include charges is a short-stay disc system, where the council sets a time limit on how long shoppers can park.

Drivers have to display a disc showing what time they arrive and any overstaying the period would receive a fixed penalty ticket.

Any system would have to work in partnership with Durham County Council's highways division, which is responsible for on-street parking.