A NEW pay and display system at Craven Pool and Fitness Centre in Skipton could be delayed until May.

Short term charging with centre members issued with permits to park for free was expected to be introduced from Monday.

But a delay in the issuing of permits has meant that the system may not be introduced until May instead.

Centre members and those who take their children to the pool for swimming lessons will be issued with permits allowing them free parking.

Craven District Council is introducing short term parking charges, seven days a week from 9am to 7pm of 50p for an hour, £1.10 for two hours, and £4.50 for more than four hours.

Ticket machines will be introduced and other centre users, and those spending more than £5 in the soon to be opened, newly refurbished cafe, will be reimbursed.

Lloyd Hancox, Craven District Council's leisure services manager, said the scheme was being introduced for the benefit of centre users.

"It is important to us that the parking facility is protected for the users of the centre and not those that feel they can park for free," he said.