VISITORS to Bury town centre should be able to park for free after 3pm, a Prestwich councillor has claimed.

St Mary’s ward Cllr Richard Baum said it would attract visitors and boost trade.

He added: “The Park Free After 3 campaign is a simple idea.

“There’s so much to do in the town Centre, from the world famous Bury Market to the new Fusiliers’ Museum.

“But people are put off by parking charges and our local businesses are struggling to survive this recession.

“I’m calling on the council to remove parking charges from 3pm.”

Free parking after 3pm was recently brought in Rochdale.

Cllr Baum said: “The number of visitors has gone up and businesses are benefitting.”

Bury Council deputy leader Yvonne Creswell said: “I am certain that we will liaise with Rochdale Council to find out how they have managed to do it, what the costs to them are and whether it has worked.

“The idea is perfect, but the detail may not be.”