SHOPPERS will be able to park their cars for free at all Wyre Forest District Council-owned car parks ahead of Christmas.

On the weekends of Saturday, December 10 – Sunday, December 11, and Saturday, December 17 – Sunday, December 18, drivers will be able to park for free.

Normal charging will continue again at 8am on Monday 12 December and 8am on Monday 19 December.

Councillor John Thomas, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, said: “This Christmas free parking offer is different to what we’ve done in previous years. We’ve listened to feedback and reacted to the request for more free daytime parking.

"We hope that this encourages people to enjoy our towns in the run-up to Christmas and to be out there, shopping, meeting up with friends, enjoying the festive lights and decorations.”

Signs will be put up at the entrances to all council car parks and information will also be displayed at all ticket machines.

Motorists, including those using the Just Park app, won’t need to pay for parking during this time.

Tickets do not need to be displayed and any overpayments will not be refunded and maximum length parking time restrictions will apply.

This means anyone using one of the short-stay car parks can park for up to two hours. These are Market Street and the Bull Ring car parks in Kidderminster, Load Street Upper in Bewdley and Bridge Street in Stourport. All other car parks are long stay.

The parking offer is not available at Weaver’s Wharf car park in Kidderminster, which is privately owned.

All council car parks are listed together with full information about the offer at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/festive