A TELEPHONE hotline for people to shop blue badge disabled parking fraudsters is now open.

Drivers and pedestrians are being urged to contact the Bolton Council parking services number to report parking cheats who are using disabled permits that do not belong to them.

The Bolton News reported yesterday how police caught 44 offenders during a two-week crackdown on Blue Badge cheats last month.

The Crown Prosecution Service is now preparing cases against the drivers who are said to have used badges belonging to relatives or friends.

One woman is alleged to have used a badge every day for six months, saving up to £1,200 in parking fees.

Sheila Jackson, Bolton Council's parking manager, said: "The hotline has been set-up to build on the work that the police and Bolton Council have done so far.

"We want people to report cheats to free-up spaces for genuine badge-users."

The hotline number is 01204 336357.