PARKING charges will be waived in  Cotswold District Council (CDC) run car parks during festive celebrations in several market towns.

Christmas shoppers will be able to enjoy free parking to attend Christmas lights switch-ons and celebratory events.

On Saturday, November 28 there will be free parking at the Old Market Way car park in Moreton-in-Marsh and free parking after 4 pm at all CDC car parks in Cirencester.

On Thursday, December 3 there will be free car parking in all Tetbury car parks.

Drivers can enjoy free parking on Friday, December 4 after 4 pm at Rissington Road car park in Bourton-on-the-Water. Those using the car parks can make free donations to local charities on the day.

In Stow-on-the-Wold on Saturday November 5, there will be free parking all day at Maugersbury Road car park.

And in Tetbury on the same day, there will be free parking all day at Church Street and West Street car parks in town, but the public will still have to pay to park in the Chipping car park.

CDC cabinet member for Enterprise and Partnerships, Chris Hancock,said: “We hope that suspending charges to coincide with Christmas light launches and other festive events will ease the financial burden on families who plan to use their cars to get there. These concessions should also help to boost trade in local shops.

“We are also looking to introduce some parking charge concessions early next year to attract more motorists to our market towns during what is a relatively quiet trading period. We did this for the first time in January and February this year and it was very well received.”