ALL Thurrock Council-run car parks will be free every Saturday in the run up to Christmas.

Angie Gaywood, the council's lead on parking, made the announcement today in a move aimed at boosting festive business across the borough.

As in recent years, all pay and display and roadside car parks, which are not free already, will be free every Saturday between now and Christmas.

Ms Gaywood said: "It's all part of our effort to give local businesses a boost in the Christmas build-up and to make life that little bit easier for local people wanting to do their Christmas shopping.

"Our car parks are among the cheapest – if not the cheapest – among all our neighbours and in fact, many of them are free all year round.

"I would urge as many people as possible to take advantage of this and to patronise local Thurrock stores."