RESIDENTS have criticised a prominent car park in a Tyne Valley town that has closed after the business it served closed.

In a post on Facebook Page Hexham Matters, residents questioned why the parking spaces at the former Beales store in the town couldn't be used, despite the fact the department store has now closed for good.

Original poster Victoria Todd wrote: "I understand that it’s probably because it’s private land, but it’s such a shame these parking spaces at the back of Robbs/Beales couldn’t still be used while nothing is happening with the building."

Emma Courtney commented: "Such a shame considering the parking challenges in Hexham," while Daphne Scott added: "It's a waste of space, it could be put to good use."

Northumberland County Council explained that the car park was not the authority's property.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "This small car park is privately owned and not by the county council.

"We are however working with the owners and partner agencies with the aim of securing a positive future for the whole of the former Beales site as soon as is possible."