FREE on-street parking and £2 bus journeys will be available next Saturday as part of a campaign to support local businesses.

Gloucestershire County Council is supporting Small Business Saturday, the national campaign taking place across the UK.

The event is aimed at encouraging people to support their local retailers and highlight the services they provide.

It's thought that Saturday, December 6 is one of the busiest shopping days of the year as people stock up on Christmas presents.

To back the campaign, the council will waive charges for on-street parking across the county.

Bus journeys, including the park and ride in Gloucester and Cheltenham, will cost just £2 for a return ticket for journeys on direct bus services between any two points within Gloucestershire.

The Gloucester park and ride service starts at Waterwells and travels through the Quays and onto the city centre. The Cheltenham service travels from Arle Court into the town centre.

The usual charges for on-street parking will be waived, but the normal time limits will still apply so please check the local signs when parking.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "In this day and age where you can buy everything you need online, our local businesses need our support to thrive.

"We're fortunate in Gloucestershire to have such a fantastic range of small businesses and playing a part in the Small Business Saturday campaign is our way of showing just how important they really are.

"We all shop more in the run up to Christmas so I hope you'll join our campaign and make Gloucestershire your shopping destination of choice on December 6."

Small Business Saturday is all about encouraging everyone in the UK to support small businesses, both on the day and beyond.

For more information, visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.

For park and ride bus timetables visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/parkandride