The Rossendale Free Press has won a campaign against council plans to introduce paid-for car parking.

The weekly newspaper's Keep Parking Free campaign was launched back in January after Rossendale Council first proposed introducing charges to car parks across the borough.

Hundreds of readers signed letters opposing the plans, which the Free Press presented to the council in February, along with the result of a website poll in which 85 per cent of readers said 'no' to charges.

But following a lengthy public consultation, the council's all-party car parking review team agreed earlier this month that charges should be introduced.

In response, the Free Press stepped up its campaign and, in just one week, secured nearly 2,000 names on a petition against the proposal, together with more than 550 letters from traders and shoppers through the local chamber of commerce.

These were taken to the council's Cabinet meeting by Free Press news editor Catherine Smyth, who had spoken against the plans at previous meetings – and cabinet members unanimously agreed to shelve the idea in favour of extending free limited time disc parking.

Editor Stuart Robertson said: "In a borough such as Rossendale, with many small towns and villages struggling for survival, we feel it is vitally important to maintain free parking and not to place extra ‘taxes’ on shoppers.

"This was the essence of our campaign, which was extremely well supported by the public; we are delighted that Rossendale Council has finally seen sense and shelved its pay parking plans.

"Encouraging shoppers, tourists and visitors to the area is the only way to ensure its future success."