MEAN council bosses could cost Bolton's guide dog training centre thousands of pounds a year.

Vans used by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) to transport trainee guide dogs and their instructors have been exempt from on-street parking charges since the charity's North-west headquarters opened in 1961.

But since the council took over parking enforcement powers from the police in September, the charity has been told the goodwill gesture no longer applies.

Paul Houghton, manager of the Lowndes Street training centre, has calculated the decision will mean the GDBA paying out around £8,000 in parking charges which would have been spent on guide dogs.

He said: "It's frustrating and disappointing. We have been training guide dogs in Bolton since 1961 and we have always enjoyed a good relationship with the traffic wardens.

"So many of our clients live and work in busy town centres so it's vital that the dogs can cope with those conditions.

"This is going to cost us a lot of money which will come out of the cash we raise."

Tory prospective parlimantary candidate for Bolton west James Stevens condemned the decision to charge the charity.

"All the people who stand outside in the rain rattling their tins don't expect the money to be spent on car parking charges for Bolton Council," said Mr Stevens, who visited the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association's Lowndes Street base.

"I am sure this is just an oversight."

He has written to council environment director Ray Jefferson asking if the council would consider waiving the charity's parking charges.

A spokesman for Apcoa, the parking firm charged with policing on-street parking in Bolton, said his company merely enforced regulations on behalf of the council. He said any decision to make an exemption would have to be taken at the town hall.

Ian Taylor, the council's head of parking services, said he would be happy to meet with Guide Dogs For The Blind to discuss the position.

But he stressed that the council had inherited a complex situation where many organisations claimed they had always been treated as special cases in the past.

"It's very difficult for us," he said. "How do you say to one person 'No you can't do that' but tell another it's all right? People such as funeral directors have also raised the issue. We are looking for solutions and we are trying to be firm but fair with people."

The GBDA is appealing to businesses with town centre parking facilities, such as supermarkets and larger stores, to see if they could help. Anyone who can help should contact Mr Houghton at the training centre on 01204 495111.

Has your charitable organisation been told it cannot park free of charge in the town centre? Contact the BEN Internet Editor Chris Sudlow on: csudlow@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk