A town council has made one of its car parks free in the hope of help residents and NHS staff.

Penzance Council has suspended parking charges at the Penlee Car Park until the end of the current national lockdown, as part of efforts to further limit the spread of coronavirus and to support residents.

Councillors also hope it will help NHS staff who need to use the car park when working at the West Cornwall Hospital and nearby doctors' surgeries.

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Speaking about the decision, which came into force on Monday (January 18), the council said: "Many people have returned to working from home due to the latest national lockdown.

"As a result, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles parked on residential roads and many residents have been unable to find a parking space near their homes. They will now have the option to park for free at the Penlee Car Park.

"A number of NHS staff also use the car park for the nearby doctors’ surgeries and West Cornwall Hospital, and it is hoped that this suspension of parking charges will also support their vital work at this time."

The town council follows the lead of Cornwall Council, which last week announced that all 133 of its charging car parks would be free until the end of lockdown, as of last weekend.