Council offers four hours free parking in December

New Street car park in Sutton-in-Ashfield is one of the car parks offering free parking for four hours

Ashfield District Council has announced shoppers will be able to park for free for up to four hours in council-run car parks from Monday to Saturday in December.

The authority said it was increasing its usual offer from two hours of free parking to four hours at car parks in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Hucknall.

The district council said it was repeating the scheme this year in a bid to support town centres, local businesses and Ashfield markets.

Visitors can also park in council-owned car parks on Sunday for free, the authority added.

A council spokesperson said visitors would be able to get a voucher from the machine or PayByPhone app, which would allow them to park for four hours for free.

The scheme in Sutton-in-Ashfield is in place at the New Street, Market Place, Sherwood Place and Fox Street car parks, the authority said.

In Kirkby-in-Ashfield the parking offer is available at Ellis Street and Hodgkinson Road, while in Hucknall it is in place at Piggins Croft, Market Place and Yorke Street.

Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council said: "We have been really proud to offer free parking in December for a few years now, and this December we are continuing that tradition.

"We listened to small businesses and retailers who told us that four hours would be the perfect amount of time, allowing a greater turnover of shoppers.

"We have fantastic businesses and shops here in Ashfield that need everyone's support this Christmas. Whilst we offer two hours free parking all year round, these additional two hours give everyone more time to browse, shop, eat and drink across Ashfield."