A RENT wrangle which threatened to close a Westhoughton town centre car park has been solved.

A notice was put up on the 55-space car park on Mill Street after a lease expired telling the public that it was no longer a car park and vehicles would be clamped.

But now Bolton Council, who rented the site as a car park, has negotiated a new lease with the owners, fairground operators Silcocks.

Hulton Park Labour Cllr Eric Hyland said: "I am pleased that this has been sorted out. "Westhoughton cannot afford to lose so many car parking spaces."

Westhoughton Labour Cllr Peter Finch added: "A new lease was organised as soon as we could."

Mr Sam Lancaster, agent for Silcocks, said: "Motorists can now park there again and they will not be clamped."

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