Councillors are being recommended to freeze parking charges across the district for the next two years.

The proposal would cap charges at existing levels until 2016 in all district council-owned off-street car parks where charges apply.

Cabinet member Cllr Nigel Collor said: “We want to encourage people to shop locally and support independent traders in our town centres. We are supporting the first ever UK Small Business on Saturday December 7 with free car parking in DDC off-street car parks across the district.

“We also continue to support the Dover Town Team’s Bluebird Market every Tuesday with half-price parking in the Russell Street car park.”

DDC has also announced that parking charges in DDC owned off-street car parks are to be suspended between Christmas Day and New Years’ Dat inclusive.

The decision to freeze car parking charges is subject to Cabinet discussions on the budget and medium term financial plan early in the New Year.