BARNOLDSWICK Chamber of Trade members turned out in force at two meetings this week calling for the town's disc parking scheme to be scrapped.

Spokeswoman for the Chamber, Lisa Ward Johnson, said the disc parking scheme introduced last autumn into three of the town's car parks on Fernlea Avenue, Station Road and Jepp Hill was seriously damaging trade.

Other traders told of their problems and the "over the top" way the scheme was being enforced.

One, George Dixon, said the traffic wardens issuing tickets had "imposed a reign of terror on the town" and people were afraid to shop in Barnoldswick.

Mrs Ward Johnson told the West Craven Area Committee meeting on Tuesday and Barnoldswick Town Council's annual meeting the following night that there had been little consultation with traders and residents when the scheme was introduced.

She and other traders feared for the future as they did not benefit from passing trade like other towns in the borough, and more than 1,100 signatures had been added to a petition to have the scheme removed.

"These parking restrictions have had a serious effect on the town's businesses," she said.

Before the disc scheme there had been a feelgood factor about the town with new businesses opening. "Now there is a feeling of doom and gloom due to the lack of shoppers coming into town," she said.

Coun David Whipp said he felt the best way forward in view of the issues raised was to arrange a meeting between the Chamber of Trade and the West Craven Area Committee as soon as possible.

The committee voted to accept the suggestion and meetings are being arranged.