FREE parking has been offered to visitors of Basildon throughout December.

All visitors to Basildon Council's car parks will be able to park for up to three hours free of charge between 8am and 6pm throughout this month.

All council car parks are free to use overnight, from 6pm to 8am, no matter the duration of use, along with being free all day Saturday and Sunday.

Normal charges will resume on January 4, 2021.

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee David Harrison said: "We want residents to be able to access their local shops this Christmas, and we want to support our high streets.

"Providing three hours of free access to council car parks is a big way we can help with this.”