PENSIONERS are fighting Bolton Council plans to introduce parking charges in the borough's parks.

Members of the Moss Bank Park Veterans Club say proposals to charge motorists £1 per visit could cost them hundreds of pounds a year.

The pay-to-park scheme is expected to generate £30,000 for the council if it gets the go-ahead.

David Grundy, aged 66, who is a member of the Veterans bowling club, visits the park up to five times a week and says he cannot afford to pay £5 a week out of his pension.

He estimates that he could pay out more than £200 a year to keep up his hobby, and worries that visiting teams will be put off playing at the Moss Bank Park green because of the charges.

Mr Grundy, of Ramsbottom Road,Horwich, who has been club secretary for eight years, said: "Many club members are of retirement age, and regular bowls players. Like me, they simply would not be able to continue visiting the park so often.

"The council gets enough revenue from us through green charges and leisure card fees. This is not an expense that pensioners can afford."

The plans to charge motorists are being put forward as part of an attempt to make savings worth £11.2 million to keep April's council tax rise to no more than four per cent.

The charges could also affect Leverhulme Park and Moses Gate Country Park. They have been criticised by opposition councillors, who say they would force people to park in residential streets.

Eric Cheatle, aged 69, who is a committee member of the Veterans club and visits the park most days, said: "Elderly bowls players cannot afford this - we've paid our dues to society. We're encouraged to keep active, but this is an obstacle.

"Surely there is another way to raise revenue. Who is to say the charge won't increase in months to come?"

Fellow park users have also complained about the plans, insisting it should be free for all. The scheme is to feature on a council agenda later this month.

A council spokesman said: "The detail on the pay-to-park has yet to be worked out.

"In making recommendations, we anticipate taking account of issues such as those raised by the bowlers."