SOME disabled people feel they are discriminated against by not having to pay to park in Lake District National Park Authority car parks, according to a report.

The report by retail and recreation manager Guy Huxtable - to be presented to the visitor services committee on Monday - discusses the authority's policy of providing free parking for orange and blue badge holders in its 13 car parks.

During the year 2000 the authority is estimated to have made £500,000 from its car parks.

At present, disabled drivers displaying an orange badge - or the newer blue badge - can park free of charge.

An estimated seven per cent of parking spaces are used by orange badge holders, explains the report.

During its annual review of car parking charges, the authority considered its policy of free parking.

In his report, Mr Huxtable explains that there are two arguments in favour of charging orange and blue badge holders for parking in authority car parks.

The first is that it will increase revenue by up to £35,000 a year and the second is that some disabled people have expressed objections to the current policy, since they feel it discriminates against them."

Mr Huxtable also lists five arguments against charging, including the fact that pay machines are not easily reached by people in wheelchairs, and the "economic burden" of charging disabled people to park.

Eden Access Forum and Copeland Disability Forum were opposed to charging orange and blue badge holders to park.

The authority received two other letters opposing charges.

The visitor services committee is expected to agree that the free parking policy should continue.