CALLS have been made to equalise residents’ parking charges across Lancashire after figures showed drivers were forking out different amounts.

Prices vary from nothing at all, to £40, with people in Clitheroe paying the most for a residential permit, while those in Lytham pay just £5.

In Burnley the cost of a permit varies from £15.60 to £26, in Oswaldtwistle a permit costs £25, and in Blackburn range from £10 to £30.

The findings come from Freedom of Information requests made to councils around the country on behalf of motor sales company Trusted Dealers, which revealed some motorists are paying upwards of £200 a year in residential parking permits, generating an average of £291,000 for local authorities.

Lancashire County Council has issued 891 permits, generating £8,972.90.

The council said the money is reinvested back into the permit scheme and pays for administrative costs.

Clitheroe Town councillor Mary Robinson said: “My personal view is that it should be equal across Lancashire. I think it’s extremely unfair, it’s another nail in the Ribble Valley coffin, we always get the short straw.”

Martin Galloway, head of network management for Lancashire County Council, said: “Charges differ across the county. This reflects the different facilities provided by each scheme.”

Trusted Dealers MD Neil Addley, said: “The price may pale in comparison to the price of petrol, but it’s still an additional burden for motorists.

“It seems unfair that in some cases, money raised is used to offset council tax, implying that motorists are paying over the odds – and for a privilege that some would say ought to be free.”