THE Grim Reaper swooped on a York street to warn councillors that plans to introduce parking charges could kill trade.

Death was in Micklegate to back the traders' campaign against proposed parking meters, which would see motorists paying £1.40 an hour to park in the street. Shopkeepers claim the charges will drive customers away to out-of-town shopping complexes and could lead to many Micklegate businesses shutting up shop.

The Grim Reaper figurehead travelled from his home at York Dungeon to support the traders and hand over a petition to Micklegate ward councillor David Evans.

Businesses in the street collected 1,200 signatures in ten days from people opposing the plans for parking meters. Coun Evans will submit the petition to full council on February 24.

John Hughes, who has run Cads hair salon in Micklegate for the last 22 years, said: "We feel parking charges will absolutely decimate trade in the street. We have had a lot of support from other streets who are in a similar position.

"These charges will absolutely flatten the city."

At the moment, customers can park in Micklegate for an hour for free.

Mr Hughes said the charges will badly hit his business as many of his customers parked in the street.

"People like to park on the street and come in for a quick trim," he said.

"This could make me consider moving. I can get a much cheaper shop out of the city centre.

"It's extremely expensive to run a business in the centre of York, this could force me to go elsewhere."

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, February 12, 2004