TWO veteran town centre traders today broke ranks to blast Kirklees Council over plans for parking charges on Sundays.

David Whittle and Tony Coletta, who have been involved in talks with councillors over the issue, said they could no longer remain silent.

They claimed that the charges would hit Huddersfield retailers and undo recent work to build up the town as a destination for Sunday shoppers.

Both men said they were now prepared to resign as board members of the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership in protest.

The decision to speak out follows a meeting yesterday between the partnership, councillors and highways officials.

Retailers were told of the council's determination to impose Sunday charging charges in June.

The move means motorists will pay 50p an hour or £1 for four hours on-street and in council-run car parks.

As a concession to churchgoers, the charges will not take effect before noon.

But Mr Coletta, who chairs the partnership's development committee, said major centres, including Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester had decided against Sunday parking fees.

He said: "What makes the council think the economy of Huddersfield can stand parking charges when clearly the competition - far stronger retail centres - cannot?

"It will put the retailers of Huddersfield at a huge disadvantage."

He said the council had already raised parking charges by 40% for Mondays to Saturdays.

Mr Coletta, who owns the Occasions giftware shop in Market Avenue, said it would undo recent work to improve the town - such as the free shoppers' bus, the ice rink at Christmas and changes to the ticketing system at the Queensgate multi-storey car park.

David Whittle, of King Street fashion store Peter's, said the move would deter Sunday shoppers.

"We are letting the retailers down and we are letting the public down," he said.

"I only take about 20% of my weekend trade on Sundays, but we believe that the more the town is open on Sundays the more the town will be used.

"As one of the larger independent stores, we feel we should be supporting the town centre.

"But if these parking charges come into effect, we will have to review our future strategy for Sundays."

Mr Coletta and Mr Whittle are longstanding retailers in the town. Both have chaired the former Huddersfield Town Centre Retailers' Association.

Mr Whittle said: "As independent retailers born and bred in the town, who make our living in the town, we are prepared to make a stand."