REASONS for a big fall in car park income in South Lakeland's tourist areas were considered by councillors.

The strength of the pound, poor weather, more people taking holidays abroad and the withdrawl of traffic wardens leading to a lack of effective on-street enforcement were all considered to be factors.

But while car park income in places like Ambleside and Grasmere have fallen it has shown an improvement in towns like Kendal (up 0.1 per cent) and Ulverston (up 5.8 per cent).

A report to members of South Lakeland District Council's planning and transportation committee showed that in December car park income fell by £3,386 compared to the same period last year.

Overall the council's pay and display income is down £25,000 and if this is projected to the year end there would be a shortfall of £40,000 compared to 1999/2000.

But councillors heard that during October and November there had been an additional 206 excess charge notices (ECNs) issued because of a temporary increase in the number of car park parol officers operating.

SLDC's head of highways and public services, Morris Brundrett said the council had taken advantage of additional monies made avaialble to employ seasonal patrol officers.

"They have produced more cash and revenue than it has cost to employ them," he said, adding: "We don't set out to issue ECNs.

What we set out to do is to get the message across to users that: 'It does not pay, not to pay.'"