Free parking in Durham has been brought in for the whole of December in car parks across the county.

The Free after Three initiative has returned across County Durham and means that visitors can use council car parks for free after 3pm throughout the month of December.

Off street car parks and on-street council-owned car park spaces across Durham will benefit from the waiving of parking charges, with stickers being placed on all payment machines to let drivers know that there is free parking in Durham.

As well as Free after Three, free parking will also be available across County Durham after 10am on Saturday December 7 in all Durham County Council off-street car parks and on-street spaces to coincide with Small Business Saturday, which is a national campaign which encourages people to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.

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Parking and transport infrastructure team leader at Durham County Council Kieron Moralee said: "Every year we try to help with one less cost for people, as the run up to Christmas is a busy time and can be expensive.  

"Free after Three also supports local shops who rely on footfall for a prosperous festive period. The free parking after 10am on December 7 encourages people to shop local and support our small businesses."

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