A PLEA to have parking rules relaxed on market days has failed.

Harwich Town Council had called on Tendring Council to allow residents to use the car park in Milton Road, Dovercourt, without charge from 9.30am on Fridays.

They hoped it would encourage shoppers and prevent nearby streets being clogged with cars.

But Tendring Council has refused to budge.

Speaking at a Harwich Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Jo Henderson said: “Obviously we are all disappointed with it and for our traders in the town.

“He [Mick Page, Tendring Council leader] is not going to budge on it.

“If we get a little more pressure from the traders themselves perhaps they can go to him.”