BROMSGROVE'S new multi-storey car park could be put to an alternative use - as a weekend second-hand car market.

That's the hope of two Labour district councillors who claim the Churchfields facility is under used and that it could generate much-needed cash for the council if one floor and the roof area was used to sell cars.

Councillor Sean Shannon (Charford) and Athol Deakin (Sidemoor) will put forward a motion for discussion at next Tuesday's full council meeting.

Cllr Shannon claims the £2.5m car park is rarely used to its full capacity, except at Christmas, and drivers using it would not be disadvantaged,

"This imaginative plan would give car owners the opportunity to display and sell their vehicles under cover and save prospective purchasers the hassle that can accompany buying a used car privately," said Cllr Shannon.

Charges for a pitch could be modest at £5 to £10 and the cash raised would be used to give the council's coffers a much-needed boost.

The idea has been implemented successfully elsewhere, he said.

Cllr Deakin says that if the idea is adopted it would go some way to ending the proliferation of private "grass verge" car sales.

He said these can be distracting for drivers, especially at busy junctions, such as the Slideslow roundabout.

"Bromsgrove is a traditional market town and we need to refocus on our traditions," he added.