FORGETTING where you've parked your car could soon be a thing of the past at a Swindon shopping centre.

The McArthurglen Designer Outlet, in Rodbourne, wants to introduce a valet parking service, complete with a car wash.

If planning permission is approved, it could be up and running by the summer.

Centre manager Marco Muccini said the move is in response to huge demand from customers.

"We want to take the stress out of shopping," he said.

"We have thought about doing this for 16 months and we have collected a lot of information.

"We know most shoppers spend an average of two hours walking around the centre enough time for us to wash and park their car.

"Customers will hand us the keys to their car before entering the centre and we'll hand wash it. We'll then park it for them."

A large tent would be put up in the car park with enough room for eight cars.

And staff would know exactly where each customer's car is parked, thanks to a built-in reception area.

"Between six and 12 members of staff will man this service depending on how busy it is," said Mr Muccini. The system will work much like a conveyor belt."

Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "An application is being processed by the planning department in the usual way. It will be referred to the planning committee or decided under delegated powers in the near future."

Kevin Shoesmith