CORNWALL Council is giving shoppers an early Christmas present by offering free car parking in all of its car parks on December 5.

The aim is to encourage people to shop locally and to boost trade in Cornish towns. Despite having been set a

stringent target in the budget to increase the income from council run car parks, which is then used to help ensure roads in Cornwall are maintained and safe, this year it looks likely that the council’s car parks will do well.

As a result, it is in a position to support Cornish businesses in town centres by offering the one free day of parking, “We are trying to develop a much more interactive relationship with our town centres,” said Bert Biscoe, the council’s cabinet member for transport.

“Car parks are there to manage town centre traffic. The income we receive from them is critical in finding the money to maintain Cornwall’s 7,000 kilometres of road network, much of which is unclassified rural roads.

“Providing a day of free parking is a useful way for the council to support Cornish businesses and encourage people to continue using their car parks.”

The offer relates to all 118 council run car parks across the county where it would otherwise charge. All council car parks are clearly branded as Cornwall Council car parks and there will also be posters displayed at the charging points.

The move has been welcomed by Falmouth's town manager, Richard Gates, who said: On behalf of the Town Team I am really pleased with this announcement to support towns going into the festive season. It is imperative at a county level there is investment in our towns going forwards and this is something we have been lobbying behind the scenes so it is encouraging to see."