Bolton Council is being pressed to buy a plot of land which a Westhoughton town councillor claims is "vital" for the town.

The rough area at the junction of Mill Street and Park Road has been used as an unofficial car park close to Westhoughton shopping centre for years.

But now it is up for sale and the landowner has erected notices warning that cars will be impounded if they are left on the site from February 4.

"There is nothing anyone can do to stop the landowner doing that," said Liberal Democrat Town Council leader David Wilkinson. "But my fear and the fear of many other people is that the land will just be built on. It holds about 50 cars and is vital because there are so few other places to park close to the town centre. I have already approached Bolton Council and I hope they will realise the land is needed as a car park and buy it."

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