Free parking on some days, discounted bus tickets and free bike rides are all on offer for late night Christmas shoppers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the next few weeks.

There will be free parking on Thursday evenings and at selected times on Saturdays and Sundays from Sunday 28 November in certain car parks, discounted bus tickets on Yellow Buses and Morebus, and even free bike rides on Beryl Bikes to encourage sustainable travel across the conurbation.

The free parking offer is available on the following dates in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Town Centres:

• Thursdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 December, 4pm to 10pm
• Sundays 28 November, 5, 12 and 19 December, 10am to 6pm

Free parking is also being offered in some district car parks including in Boscombe, Southbourne, Westbourne, Winton, Highcliffe, Broadstone, Canford Cliffs and Parkstone on the following dates – Saturdays 4, 11 and 18 December, noon to 6pm.

On Yellow Buses, you can enjoy unlimited evening travel for £3.50 across the whole Yellow Bus network when you purchase a ‘Buster’s Christmas Cracker’ ticket from drivers after 4.30pm.

Morebus are offering a Christmas Group Dayrider ticket which gives unlimited travel for up to five people for just £5. This ticket is available after 5.30pm on Thursday night during late night shopping and on Sundays in the run up to Christmas, with both bus offers enabling everyone to hop on and off buses and ensure they visit all the essential shopping areas.

Beryl Bikes in partnership with BCP Council are offering free bike rides on the following dates:

• Thursdays 2, 9 16 and 23 December after 5.30pm to support late night shopping
• Sundays 5, 12 & 19 December all day

Two free rides up to 30 minutes can be claimed per person per day, giving residents plenty of time to get to the shops and purchase those festive gifts while supporting the local high street.

Cllr Mike Greene, portfolio holder for Sustainability and Transport, BCP Council said: “The last 20 months have been difficult time for everyone, so anything that saves people money is a good thing and I’m delighted that we have secured a range of travel offers for all our residents and visitors to take advantage of. This all helps support local businesses which are at the heart of our communities, so I encourage people to come into town and make the most of these festive travel offers.”