PARKING is “free after three” in a council’s car parks from today (Monday, December 1).

The scheme applies to all Durham County Council-run car parks across County Durham plus on-street parking bays in Durham City after 3pm throughout December.

It is aimed at supporting small businesses and making Christmas shopping a bit cheaper.

Parking will also be free all day on Saturday (December 6), under the Small Business Saturday initiative.

Councillor Neil Foster, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We’ve been working with local businesses throughout the summer to look at ways of encouraging more people into our town centres.

“By offering free after three parking throughout December, we hope to provide a welcome boost to local businesses as well as cutting the cost of Christmas for residents across the county.”

For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/parking