The Morpeth and District Chamber of Trade will write to the authority's Liberal Democrat Executive Board calling for a structure where people and firms are "treated fairly and equally".

Motorists are currently charged for parking in Morpeth, Berwick, Alnwick and Hexham but it is free in Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, Cramlington, Newbiggin and Seaton Delaval.

Chamber member Charles Robinson, who put forward the proposal to get in touch with the unitary Council, said: "Traders in Morpeth have been particularly hard hit by having free car parking towns like Ashington and Cramlington on their doorstep.

"Residents and traders in the area governed by the new authority have a right to be treated fairly and equally.

"While decisions regarding the imposition of charges have in the past been left to the six individual district authorities, it would be iniquitous for the new unitary authority to levy charges in one town but not another five miles away."

His comments were supported by fellow member Dave Pope who said: "It's not up to us to make a decision to either scrap charges or bring them in for every town, but whatever is decided, it has to be the same everywhere."

Mr Robinson added that the Council would be asked to bring the issue up for discussion quickly so there was enough time for a full debate to take place.