MOTORISTS could be charged to park in Bolton town centre on Sundays.

Town hall bosses plan to introduce charges for on-street parking and council car parks.

They also want to introduce pay and display meters on some roads where it is currently free to park.

The proposals, which would generate around £39,000 a year, have sparked outrage among motorists and town centre business leaders.

It is currently free to park on Sundays in meter bays and in town centre car parks run by the council.

Under the council plans, charges up to a maximum of £3 would apply in car parks between 8am and 6pm.

Proposed meter charges have not been released.

Bolton Town Centre manager Cathy Savage said: "I don't think this is a good idea.

"Sunday is one of the best shopping days in terms of how much money people spend, but this could stop people coming into the town.

"There was such an outcry about this same idea in Manchester recently that the plan was scrapped."

Cllr John Walsh, Conservative spokesman for environmental services, said: "The town centre is going through major changes at the moment.

"To talk about introducing charges at this time is the height of madness."

The Liberal Democrat spokesman, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: "I'm against any increased cost to the tax payer of Bolton.

"There's no alternative because our bus services are pathetic. People would just go to Middlebrook or the Trafford Centre."

Cllr John Byrne, the council's executive member for environmental services, was unavailable for comment but his deputy, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, said: "These are just budget proposals at this stage. They have not been finalised."

A Bolton Council spokesman added: "These are only options for discussion and any decision will be made by members.

"We have not identified any areas for further on-street parking bays yet as, again, it is only a suggestion to explore further."

The town centre car parks which would be affected are: Pool Street, Folds Road, Deane Road, Breightmet Street, Chorley Street, Stanley Street South, Railway Triangle, Crook Street, Topp Way, Blackhorse Street, All Saints Street, Johnson Street, Central Street, Back Cheapside and King Street.