THE cost of parking in Craven's car parks will remain the same for the fourth year in a row.

Craven District Council has frozen charges in its paid for car parks in an attempt to encourage shoppers into its towns.

Councillor Alan Sutcliffe, lead member for finance and asset management, said setting parking charges was always a difficult balancing act.

"Residents expect the council to make the most of its assets and charge a reasonable tariff in its car parks to minimise the impact on council tax bills, however, we are still in challenging economic times and we should do what we can to encourage people to visit our market towns”.

Skipton's High Street car park will remain at £1.20 for a hour and £8 for more than four hours, while parking in Coach Street will stay at £1.10 for an hour and £4.50 for more than four. Parking in Ashfield Car Park, Settle, will remain at £1 for an hour, and £3.10 for four; and at Backgate, Ingleton, 90p for an hour, and £3.60 for four.

The council has also retained its pop and shop scheme which allows shoppers to park at the High Street Car Park for up to 30 minutes for 20p.