FREE parking and the return of the park and ride service aims to make Christmas shopping easier in Poole this year.

Residents and visitors can enjoy free parking in all town centre car parks every Sunday between 8am and 6pm until December 23, on Thursday nights from 6pm to 9.30pm from November 29 until December 13, every evening between 6pm and 9.30pm from Monday December 17 to Saturday December 22 to tie in with late night opening of the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

District car parks at Broadstone, Ashley Road, Penn Hill, Ashley Cross and Canford Cliffs will also offer free parking from noon until 6pm on the three Saturdays before Christmas - December 8, 15 and 22.

Borough of Poole's park and ride will operate from Creekmoor every Saturday from December 1 until Christmas.

Sponsored by the Dolphin Centre, buses will leave the park and ride every 15 minutes from 8am until 6pm and the 10-minute trip into town costs £1.50 for an adult return, accompanied children 50p.