TEN years' crime-free parking is to be marked with a double celebration at a North-East car park this week.

Since opening on November 26, 1993, St Mary's Car Park, in Sunderland, has welcomed nearly eight million vehicles - not one of which has been broken into or stolen.

One motorist will get more than he or she bargains for at St Mary's today when the car park's eight millionth visitor is presented with gifts.

The welcoming party will include Marks and Spencer Sunderland branch manager Stephen Blair, Phil Barrett, director of development and regeneration for the city council, and Councillor Ian Galbraith, environment member on the council's cabinet.

The week of celebrations continues on Wednesday, when John Scott, Assistant Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, joins Mr Barrett, and Mike Whitfield, of Secured Car Parks, to cut a cake to mark the ten-year landmark.

Mr Barrett said the secret of St Mary's success was its simple design concept.

He said: "There is one access point for pedestrians and vehicles, as well as a CCTV system covering all parking spaces."