Electric car drivers have been trying out the new charge point in Accrington town centre.

The equipment was placed outside Accrington Town Hall earlier this year.

It is capable of charging an electric car from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes.

Paul Mattinson, of Clayton-le-Moors, welcomed the charge point, saying: “I have an electric powered Nissan Leaf and am a regular user of the charge point.

“It’s the only town centre one in East Lancashire and I hope more are installed across the area as electric cars become more popular.”

Nick Gaskell, from Great Harwood, also has an electric powered car.

He said: “This is a great idea, our Nissan Leaf is two years old now and has done 20,000 miles in that time.

“Now there’s a charge point in the town centre I can nip into town and grab a coffee and do a spot of shopping whilst the car is charging.”

Green car sales in the UK jumped from 3,500 in 2013 to 14,500 in 2014.

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said: “The market for electric vehicles is growing and we want to make sure that users are able to charge up locally.”