Motorists in Herne Bay and Whitstable can enjoy free parking from today – and it’s not an April Fools!

An initiative paid for by developers of the supermarket building at Beltinge will fund two hours of free parking in William Street, Herne Bay, every day.

Drivers will get their first 120 minutes free before having to fork out for the time stayed beyond the complementary period.

Along the coast in Whitstable, parking is now free until 10am every day in Gladstone Road, Gorrell Tank, Keam’s Yard, Middle Wall, Shaftesbury Road and Victoria Street car parks.

Charging previously started at 8.30am.

People can also use Canterbury's Park and Ride services for just £1 after 4pm, with Stagecoach buses serving the Sturry Road and New Dover Road sites until as late as 11pm.

Canterbury City Council’s transport manager, Richard Moore, said: “We’re sure people will welcome the opportunity to visit the town centres and do some shopping without needing to pay for their parking.”

Meanwhile, the city council’s project to resurface and reline William Street car park, provide a new pedestrian walkway and improve the lighting and drainage should be finished by the middle of this month.