NINE car parks in Copeland will be free to use over the festive period.

Motorists will not have to pay from Monday, December 23 to January 1.

Included in the offer is School House Lane, Senhouse Street, Whitehaven Sports Centre, The Ginns, The Beacon Museum and North Shore (all Whitehaven), Chapel Street and Beck Green (Egremont) and St Bees foreshore.

The Copeland Centre will be free to use from December 25 to January 1 (inclusive)

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie said: “We’re encouraging all our residents to support their towns by shopping locally, dining out or going for a coffee, while the Christmas break is the perfect opportunity for a stroll around Whitehaven harbour or along St Bees beach.”

Marked, permit-only bays are not included and only the car parks listed above are included –there are others which are privately-owned and may be subject to payment.