Free parking is being offered in the run-up to Christmas to encourage people to shop locally.

The scheme will launch at every Swale council owned car park on Saturday, December 6, and to coincide with it there will be no charge to motorists that day.

The its ‘free after 2pm’ scheme will then run every day until December 24.

In addition, the local authority is scrapping its charges on Sundays up until December 21.

On street parking restrictions will continue to be enforced throughout this period.

Cllr David Simmons, cabinet member for the environment and rural affairs, said: “Having offered residents a similar scheme last year, we have no doubt the ‘free after two’ parking in the run up to Christmas helps support local businesses, boosts the local economy and encourages residents to buy locally.

“After 2pm is often seen as a quieter period for town centres so we hope that this will help boost trading as well as support any special events being held across the borough.”