AN extra dose of Christmas cheer could be on its way to shoppers in Guisborough and Redcar.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is planning to suspend car parking charges in the town after 3pm, from Monday, December 4, for the Christmas period.

Andy Hyams, the assistant director of technical services at the council, said: "We have offered concessions for Christmas shoppers since 1996 in both Guisborough and Redcar.

"We are anxious to offer the concessions to encourage people to visit our communities in the run-up to Christmas.

"We have had preliminary discussions with Guisborough, and we are keen to get the same result with Redcar. As soon as we have agreement, we will make a full announcement."

The move has been welcomed by Guisborough Business Association, which fights for a Christmas concession every year.

Stan Frank, from the association, said the free parking helps businesses.

He said: "It gives something to people who wouldn't normally come into Guisborough at that time of night to go shopping. It gives people the chance of some last-minute shopping."

He said the free parking would come in especially useful on Tuesday, December 5, when the town had its late- night Christmas shopping event, with fun activities taking place in and around shops in the town centre.