CHANGES to parking regulations in car parks in the centre of Horwich would hit business in bars and restaurants in the evenings if they were ever implemented, a councillor says.

Horwich councillor Barbara Ronson believes that any crackdown on car parking in the town centre would affect the number of people coming to town for a night out.

Parking chiefs have published orders that would allow them to tighten up on parking in four council-owned car parks in Horwich.

If the proposals went ahead the car parks -- currently free and open 24 hours a day -- would have a three-hour limit, would charge per hour and would close from 6pm until 8am.

While signs have been displayed in car parks in Beaumont Road, St John's Street, Captain Street and Wright Street detailing the proposals, Bolton Council says it has no immediate plans to introduce the changes

Cllr Ronson said: "We had been assured that charges, time restrictions and overnight closures would not be implemented in Horwich. Now we're confused because these signs have appeared.

"All the car parks in Horwich are used in the evenings to serve the extensive number of bars and restaurants, so to close them at night is ridiculous and would annihilate the evening economy."

Ian Taylor, head of parking services at Bolton Council, said: "Our intentions are to regulate and control parking to make life easier for residents and shoppers who use them.

"Maximum stay restrictions, charges and overnight closures will not be implemented, we are just taking this opportunity to include them so that if problems arise in the future, the legislation is in place to take action."

Similar parking orders will cover car parks in other areas of Bolton borough.

Objectors to the orders have until Friday, February 13, to submit representations to Peter Wilson, Director of Central Services, Town Hall, Bolton, BL1 1RU.