A TRADERS' boss said he had been put off travelling into Blackburn by parking wardens who "pounce" on his car the minute his ticket runs out.

Shopkeepers today demanded that the money made from the on-street parking meters should be used to promote the town centre.

And the men in blue appointed to enforce the pay-and-display street spaces were accused of behaving like Edinburgh's 'Blue Meanies' -- who gained their nickname because of the colour of their uniforms after issuing 15,000 tickets in a month.

Chamber of Trade president Ray Goldstone said the meters, introduced to free up spaces for shoppers, were actually driving customers away.

But Coun Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration at the council, defended the wardens and

said the scheme, introduced in January 2003, had increased parking availability in the town.

Market trader Mr Goldstone said thousands of parking tickets -- with a £40 fine which is reduced on prompt payment -- had been issued.

He added: "They've cost me £90 so far this year, and it s always because I'm a minute or two late back to my car.

"It is the sort of experience which puts people off coming back to Blackburn. It would put me off, if I didn't have to come here, and that s what we are seeing.

"The money made from the pay and display machines should be used to market the town centre, as should the fines."

Ronnie O'Keefe, who runs picture frame shop Gallery 19 in Darwen Street, added: "In this day and age we need to compete against places like Preston, Bolton, Accrington and countless other towns.

"Parking needs to be readily available and cheap. If people think they are going to get a ticket just by being a couple of minutes late from somewhere, they are not going to come back, and that is happening because of the way this on-street parking charges are enforced.

"The money made from them should be used to market the town centre, to tell people why they should come and shop here otherwise people will go elsewhere, where the parking is either free, cheaper, or without the same high risk as having someone ticket you almost immediately."

Coun Paul McGurty, a Tory councillor, said: "The difference between, say Edinburgh and Blackburn, is that Edinburgh doesn't really have to try to attract visitors.

"Blackburn does, and with parking attendants who get a bad reputation like this, it's easy to see why people would go elsewhere. It can't afford to have Blue Meanies here but there are plenty of complaints to say they are behaving like that. I would certainly support the use of money made from these machines for promoting the town centre."

The wardens are operated on behalf of the council by the British Legion.

Coun Kay said: "These spaces are well used during 'shop hours' by vehicles which are only allowed to park for one hour maximum, thus ensuring a constant turnover of spaces to help people wishing to use the shops, businesses and other facilities.

"Footfall in the area as a whole has increased as a result of schemes involved, including the provision of parking spaces on the redevelopment of Church Street."