MORE than 200 disability parking permits whose Bury owners have died could still be being used, a report has revealed.

Town hall chiefs used the statistic as an example of why they are to get tough on how the permits — or blue badges — are given out.

Last week, the Government’s Communities Secretary Eric Pickles urged local councils to reduce fraud by controlling more strictly who gets the badges, which allow disabled motorists to park for free in restricted areas.

About 12,000 Bury residents have them, and the council has introduced a new policy to cut down on abuse of the system and to save taxpayers at least £4,000 a year.

Bury Council’s customer services manager, Heather Crozier, said in a report: “A feature of the policy is to reduce fraud. A recent check found that 67.8 per cent of blue badges (224 permits) issued by Bury Council, belonging to persons found to be deceased, had not been returned and could still be in circulation.”

In contrast, figures showed 24 permits in the same category had not been returned to Bolton Council, out of 999.

The Government has named Bolton Council as a leader on the subject and its staff have given tips to Bury colleagues.

A Bolton Council spokeswoman said: “In addition to a strict-but-fair policy, we take blue badge abuse very seriously and we regularly crack down on those who persistently abuse the system and take up spaces which are provided for genuine blue badge holders.”

Bury Council has introduced a new permit application procedure aiming to be more consistent, fair and timely for the customer.

People will only be able to apply online or by phone, to save on paper and people must collect their own permits in person.

Council staff will validate personal information with benefits service staff to ensure people are entitled to claim and that they are alive.

In the report, Mrs Crozier added: “Implementation of the policy will not change a person’s entitlement to a blue badge.”