PARKING at a Bournemouth shopping centre will be free for the whole of April while work to repair vandalised machines continues.

Thieves broke into the parking machines at Boscombe’s Sovereign Shopping Centre on Monday, March 20.

Police were alerted at 6.30am the following morning when staff at the shopping centre discovered the theft from a number of the machines in the multi-storey car park.

Although there was no visible damage to the machines, they could not be used and staff put signs on them informing shoppers parking would be free all day.

The signs gave no indication that a crime had been committed, and shoppers told the Daily Echo they would make the most of the free parking that day.

However, the machines remain broken and the shopping centre said it was still awaiting a date when they will be fixed.

It means shoppers will be taking advantage of free parking at the multi-storey this month, and during the busy Easter holiday period.

Ward councillor Christopher Wakefield said while the theft was "really awful", he hoped the free parking period would encourage more people to shop in the area.

"It's awful that we have this level of vandalism within the shopping centre car park, but, on this occasion, people visiting Boscombe can benefit from free parking. As such, I would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this and visit the many diverse shops that we have in Boscombe, particularly in the Easter period."

Peter Ruscoe, manager of Sovereign Shopping Centre, said they were awaiting an update on the police investigation into break-ins.

He added: “When charges restart they will be £1 for two hours, £2 for four hours and £4 for 24-hour parking, significantly cheaper than the other car parks within Boscombe, offering great value to our customers.

“We will also be introducing a monthly season ticket at a price of £35, which can be purchased at the centre or online via Your Parking Spaces. From May 2017 we will be holding regular competitions to win a free monthly pass via the Sovereign Shopping Centres Facebook page.”

“The car park is normally open from 6am until 8pm in the evening, however we do extend the hours if AFC Bournemouth have an evening match or an event is being held at the O2 Academy.”