CHRISTMAS shoppers will be able to take advantage of free parking in council-owned car parks in Christchurch and East Dorset during the festive season.

In Christchurch, free parking will be available in all shoppers’ car parks in Christchurch and Highcliffe town centres after 10am from Tuesday December 17 until Tuesday December 24.

Shoppers’ car parks are Bank Close, Bargates, Bridge Street (Civic Offices), Christchurch Bypass (Waitrose), Christchurch Quay, The Leisure Centre, Mayors Mead, Pit Site (corner of Bargates/Barrack Road), The Priory, Purewell Dairy, Saxon Square, Wick Lane, Willow Way and Wortley Road.

In East Dorset, free parking will be available after 9.30am in council car parks in Wimborne and Ferndown from Monday, December 16 to Tuesday, December 24 inclusive.

This initiative does not include the Waitrose, Rowlands Hill, Co-op or Crown Mead car parks in Wimborne, for which normal tariffs will be in operation.