SHOPPERS are urging a council to think again about proposals for car parking charges in a south west Durham market town.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to ask Wear Valley District Council not to implement parking charges in Bishop Auckland.

Sarah Osborne, manager of Raygale Pharmacy in the town's Newgate Centre, said that feelings were so strong that everyone was coming into the shop to sign the petition.

She said: "All of these signatures have come from our customers and the customers of other shops in the Newgate Centre.

"The indication is that car parking charges will encourage more people to come into the town because they will be sure of getting a parking space and at the same time stop people who work in the town from taking up the parking spaces all day. We believe there are better ways of doing this."

The car park at the Newgate Centre has been identified as a short stay car park and one of Mrs Osborne's suggestions was to allow shoppers to have the first hour free before incurring charges. She said that would also keep spaces free.

Bob Hope, director of regeneration at the council, said that it had already been agreed that some form of parking charges would be implemented in the town.

He said: "We are looking at this at the moment and comments are coming in.

"All of these, along with the petition, will be collated and discussed with members before a final decision is made.''

The plans are still out to public consultation and are on display in the town's council offices, at Old Bank Chambers, in the Market Place as well as in Civic Centre, Crook, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm, on Friday.

The Old Bank Chambers will close on Wednesdays, between 9am and noon.

Objections and comments should be submitted to the council by writing to Head of Legal Services, Wear Valley District Council, Civic Centre, Crook, by no later than February 19.