A TRADER has dubbed Bury Council staff "hypocrites" amid a town-centre parking controversy.

Scores of motorists have been parking their vehicles in a pedestrianised area in Knowsley Place - opposite the town hall - in recent weeks, drawing complaints to town hall officials.

One trader, who declined to be named, said: "The land is privately owned and so it comes down to whether the landowner wants to secure the land to prevent vehicles going on or take court action.

"While they might not be breaking the law, council workers who park there are doing things that the council's own highways department would take action against, so they are being hypocrites."

The trader claimed they had witnessed motorists wearing Bury council ID tags around their necks park on the land and then enter the town hall.

The trader added: "There are double yellow lines to prevent people parking on Knowsley Street and clear 'no parking' signs outside Knowsley Place.

"Most people respect the rules and park elsewhere. Everyone should do the same."

A council spokesman said: "The common areas serving the Knowsley Place development are not owned by Bury Council.

"The council met last week with the company that manages the common areas to discuss the issue of parking and other matters.

"It was provisionally agreed that a ticketing system will be introduced to prevent further unauthorised parking.

"However, this will require the consent of shareholders, which is being sought.

"In the meantime, the council will write to council staff reminding them that parking in the common areas at Knowsley Place is not permitted and will request that Premier Inn and Six Town Housing do the same."