VISITORS to Basildon Council-owned car parks across the borough can now benefit from free parking over the festive period.

The council is offering free parking throughout the Christmas and New Year period to allow residents and visitors to pick-up last-minute gifts and enjoy the winter sales.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Baggott said: "With delays to online deliveries over the festive period, we know that residents might be especially keen to get out and shop more locally.

"Hopefully this move gives our local businesses an extra sales boost, and residents can see the wide varieties of choices on offer on our high streets."

The last day of free parking in council-owned car parks will be Monday 2 January.

The car parks included in the initiative are:

• High Street, Billericay
• Radford Crescent, Billericay
• Lake Meadows, Billericay
• Wickford Main, Wickford
• Ladygate Shopping Centre, Wickford
• Wickford Swimming Pool, Wickford