CAR parking charges have been introduced at Entwistle Reservoir.

And a family says the move has priced them out of enjoying the beauty spot.

United Utilities say the charges - 50p for two hours and £1 for longer - will go towards improving the area.

Nadeem Nisar, 28, and wife Salma Nisar, 26, from Bank Street, used to visit the reservoir several times a week with their children Ali, seven, Amnaa, six, and Mariam, four.

Nadeem, a customer services advisor for Power-gen, said: "Now I suppose we'll have to find somewhere else, although I don't know anywhere else in Blackburn and Darwen that's as peaceful.

" If they were going to put in an extra service I'd understand but it's been running for years and there's been nothing. It's not as if the roads have been revamped."

Nadeem's father Ahmed suffers from poor health and used the reservoir daily for much-needed exercise. Now he cannot afford to go there.

He said: "I'm a pensioner. It's not just the charge but the fact that it's not justified."

Nadeem's sister Neelam, 23, used to jog there two or three times a week and five or six times a week in summer. The trainee psychologist said: "It's going to cost a bomb just to go and walk around my local area. This is going to put me off, definitely."

Council leader Colin Rigby, whose ward includes the reservoir, said: "It's United Utilities land, their car park and their facilities. I can understand people being annoyed but I'm not sure what we can do about it."

A United Utilities spokes-man said: "Entwistle is very popular and we want to improve facilities.

"All the money will go into improving the area including resurfacing the car park, improving the woodland trail and installing more benches."