Council offers free parking for Christmas shoppers

Free parking will be available in Ashford town centre

A council in Kent says it will once again be making all of its car parks free for periods in the run up to Christmas to encourage local shopping.

Ashford Borough Council said free parking would be available in both Ashford and Tenterden town centre to support local businesses.

Free parking will be available all day between on 7, 8, 14 and 15 December.

Simon Betty, the council's portfolio holder for commercial property and investment, said: "In addition to the free parking available throughout the year, I hope that these four days of all day free parking will help residents to make some extra savings during their festive shop."

He added: "Buying locally helps to support our town centre shops and those who work in them, in turn helping to boost our local economy."

Folkestone and Hythe District Council is also making its car parks free on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas.