Free bus trips to boost Christmas shopping in towns

Residents have been urged to shop local to keep town and village centres thriving

Free buses will operate in an area of Surrey in the run-up to Christmas to encourage shoppers to visit local high streets.

Waverley Borough Council is working with Hoppa to offer free buses in and around Farnham, Godalming, Cranleigh and Haslemere.

The free service will operate between 09:30 GMT and 14:30 from 16 December to Christmas Eve.

Liz Townsend, the council's portfolio holder for planning and economic development, said: "Christmas is a very important time for our local retailers, who put so much effort into making our high streets really sparkle at this time of year."

People can register for the free bus service on Hoppa's website or by calling them.

There will also be free parking after 15:00 in council-run car parks on Fridays in Farnham and Godalming, as well as on 4 December in Cranleigh and on 12 December in Haslemere.

The Farnham Business Improvement District (BID) will also fund free parking in the town from 15:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in December, except for Christmas Eve.

Ms Townsend said: "Shop local and help to keep our town and village centres thriving."