Parking will be free in the 11 Dorset Council car parks in Wimborne and at Penny’s Lodge in Ferndown on Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December.

There will also be free parking on those dates in council car parks in Beaminster, Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, Wareham and Weymouth.

In Sherborne, having previously been approved earlier this year, town centre car parks will be free on selected Mondays instead.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said, “With most events cancelled this year, we are pleased to be able to offer town councils additional free parking during valuable prime, retail weekends this December.”

On-street parking charges, and private car park charges, will still apply. Drivers are encouraged to check signage on machines at each car park to avoid paying unnecessarily.

This special Christmas parking arrangement is for December 2020 only. Car parking charges for future years will be considered as part of the ongoing council car park review – which aims to standardise charges and practices across the whole of the Dorset Council area.