BASILDON Council has urged residents planning to do a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping this week to do so safely - and they are offering a festive incentive to park properly by offering free parking.

All visitors to the council's car parks will be able to park for up to three hours free of charge between 8am and 6pm from today (Monday, 20 December) to Tuesday, 4 January.

All council car parks are free to use overnight, from 6pm to 8am, no matter the duration of use, along with being free all-day Saturday and Sunday. Normal charges will resume on 4 January, 2022.

Shoppers are advised to follow current government guidelines, including wearing masks in shops, unless exempt.

Chairman of the leisure and environment committee Cllr Craig Rimmer said: "We want residents to be able to access their local shops this Christmas, and we want to support our high streets. Providing three hours of free access to council car parks is a big way we can help with this."

The council owned car parks in the borough are located at:

Billericay - Wickford Main

Wickford - Wickford Ladygate Centre