THE success of congestion charges in London could lead to similar schemes in Greater Manchester.

Although the government refused to back the £5-a-day charge in the capital before it began this month, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has now given it the thumbs up and councils in Greater Manchester have expressed an interest in the scheme.

Mr Darling said: "Local authorities up and down the country, and indeed all over the world, are looking to London to see what they can learn."

But he also said it was not a solution on its own and councils had to consider other measures such as bus lanes and traffic calming to make life in town and city centres more bearable.