A PARKING free-for-all in an historic village centre will become a thing of the past.

Corbridge Parish Council has been given permission by Northumberland County Council to manage its Market Place in a bid to prevent vehicle users parking wherever they want.

In 1971, Market Street acquired village green status after an application by the then clerk of Corbridge Parish Council.

However, the current parish council has grown frustrated with the apparent lack of parking policies in place in the heart of the centre of the village.

Councillors therefore took steps to apply to the county council for a Scheme of Management under the Commons Act 1899 and agreed to take over the management of the area to allow the parish council to manage the parking arrangements and free up more space in the village.

The scheme was approved by members of Tynedale Local Area Council at its November meeting.

Corbridge county councillor Nick Oliver said: “It should be a lovely open space, but it’s made up of cars.

“We need to manage it and arrange it in such a way to improve the environment and make it a more appealing place to come and visit.”