ELECTRIC car charging points are needed to stop Barrow being left behind in the green travel revolution, community leaders said.

According to Zap-Map, the closest place to charge electric vehicles for people in Barrow is in Ulverston - 10 miles away.

With fuel prices increasing more customers are opting to buy electrical cars instead of diesel and petrol vehicles.

Last month German company Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first fully-electric vehicle, joining rivals Tesla.

And there is a huge drive to encourage more people to purchase fully electric or hybrid vehicles to help cut down emissions.

Electric car driver Steve Casson, who works at BAE Shipyard, said charging points would make a huge difference to Barrow.

He said: “If places like Ulverston have a charging place for cars, then Barrow certainly should.

“It is a lot cheaper to charge a car than to use petrol or diesel, so it makes sense if they want reduce pollution.

“Having charging stations is important for Barrow because that is where the world is heading and the town will fall behind.”

Mr Casson said planning journeys was a must with an electric car and more power locations need to be installed in Cumbria.

He said: “Me and my wife must plan every route we make and note where is the nearest charging station.

“Thankfully we haven’t been stranded due to having no electricity in the car, but that is only because we’ve planned every route thoroughly.”

Harry Berger is the owner of The Wolfpack Inn in Eskdale, which has five charging points.

He said business has been booming and people need to move with the times.

“I have five units here that cost £150 each to install,” he said.

“If we want to survive as a planet then we need to cut fossil fuels.

“Towns need to install areas for cars to charge or they will get left behind with the times and decline.”

Cllr Bill McEwan, mayor of Barrow, insisted the town needs to act now.

He said: “I have not been made aware of this situation, but this is something that I will certainly raise.

“If Barrow does not install electric stations soon for cars then the town will get left miles behind.

“It is something we need to look at now and act right away.”

Cllr Dave Pidduck, leader of Barrow Council and spokesperson for economic development, said the issue had been raised.

He said it was something that had been discussed at district board meetings and there was concern.

“I think the council will look at it because there is a risk that Barrow will be lacking as a result,” he said.

“We have been advised to bring global warming levels down further with less emissions and fossil fuels.

“We need to find something in the future for electric cars.”