Free parking across Cornwall has been extended for the duration of the lockdown period.

Cornwall Council has confirmed that all its council-owned car parks will remain free of charge to park in while the coronavirus restrictions continue.

The initiative was brought in at the end of March to support NHS staff and other key workers, as well as to encourage residents to stay at home during the lockdown period and not worry about where to park.

Now the council has confirmed that car parks will remain free until there is a change in the lockdown period.

The council said: "You do not need to make payment in any Cornwall Council pay and display or pay-on-foot car park until it is advised charging is happening again.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for essential workers to get to and from work and removing parking charges is one way in which we can support them during this critical time.

"It is really important, however, that people always remember to park considerately and continue to follow government guidance about avoiding any unnecessary travel.

"Please still abide by the car park rules shown on the tariff boards. You must not park in reserved car parks if you do not have a permit.

"This is in response to the latest Government advice urging residents to stay at home, and to support essential workers.

The council will publicise when parking charges are back in force again."

The council is also waiving parking restrictions in on-street time limited parking bays for NHS and key workers - although this does still not apply to disabled or loading bays.

In time limited bays workers should display on the dashboard of the vehicle evidence such as a photocopy of an NHS badge with personal details removed, or a key worker letter from an employer.

"Please remember not to park on single/double yellow lines, and observe usual safety restrictions to ensure emergency vehicles and other essential vehicles can travel safely," added the council.

With car parks free there is no need to display a valid permit and the same is true for rover and season tickets.

It is still possible to apply for a disabled parking exemption permit as normal and applications will be processed as soon as possible, although due to the current office closures the council is unable to send out paper applications until further notice and instead requests should be made by email.

People can also still apply for a Blue Badge, with the quickest and easiest way to make your application is online. The council will continue to process applications as quickly as possible, but it may take longer than the usual published processing time of four to six weeks.

Anyone with a badge that has expired and is unable to reapply, or who is waiting for an application to be processed, can continue to use their old badge if it expired on or after January 1, 2020.

This will remain in place until September 30, 2020 but only applies to council-owned car parks.

Applications for resident permits and visitor books/electronic session applications about to expire should still be submitted as normal.

Responses may take longer than usual due to the ongoing lockdown affecting staffing numbers.

The council said: "As our staff are complying with government advice we are severely reduced in numbers and unfortunately unable to respond within normal response times to the unprecedented amount of enquires we are receiving.

"We are aware of how concerned everyone is in these difficult times and we are dealing with them all as quickly as possible, but as we have priority work trying to assist the community, we will unfortunately be unable to respond to everyone directly.

"If you have already contacted us and your query is answered on this page, then you may not receive a personal response. If your query is not answered and/or you have not heard from us in within 15 working days then email the appropriate mailbox."