Local authorities will take over parking enforcement from the police, with four traffic officers patrolling Bassetlaw - targeting both on-street parking and district council-owned car parks.

Law-abiding motorists can expect to see easier access to parking spaces, while drivers choosing to flout the rules will be slapped with a £50 or £70 fine.

Russell Slater, town centre manager at Bassetlaw Council, said illegal and inconsiderate car parking is a major issue that regularly affects shoppers and retailers.

"It causes congestion within our town centres and inconvenience for othe road users, which has a negative effect on our local economy," he said.

"Worksop is blessed with a high number of car parking spaces in close proximity to the centre, so there is no excuse for shoppers or workers to park illegally."

The new initiative aims to create safer, less congested streets through regular local enforcement – creating a more regular flow of free spaces for shoppers and blue badge holders.

Bassetlaw Council will manage the day-to-day parking enforcement with staff supplied by National Car Parks (NCP), while the County Council will handle the processing of penalty charges and appeals.

Key areas to be targeted in Worksop are Ryton Street, Newcastle Avenue, Bridge Place and the entrance to the Priory Shopping Centre, as well as residential areas on Queen Street and Westgate.

NCP contract manager Steve Roe said illegally parked vehicles will not be clamped or towed away, but penalty notices for either £50 or £70 will be issued, depending on the seriousness of the the offence.

"Anyone found parking in disabled spaces without a blue badge or on double yellow lines will automatically receive a £70 fine, while those who overstay their welcome in a car park will receive the lower penalty," he said.

"We will issue tickets fairly, but anyone who feels they have a case for appeal will need to contact the council," he added. "The fine will be reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days, but people will eventually be taken to court if they do not pay."

Gareth Johnson, project manager for Notts County Council highways department, said intense publicity drives across the county for the scheme had been met with positive reaction.

"We don't want anyone having an excuse for not knowing," he said. "People have said the news is fantastic and that it's about time for it to happen. Those who park properly should see only positive changes."

Any revenue raised from the penalty charge notices will be spent on the enforcement, with any surplus being directed towards traffic management, public transport or car parking improvements.

But Mr Johnson dismissed the suggestion of the scheme as a money-making means for the council, and said the main aim was to urgently improve road safety and improve traffic congestion.

"Our business model is to break even and we are happy to do that for traffic management," he said.