Businesses and community groups have won their campaign to save Maldon's free evening and Sunday parking.

Maldon District Council decided against scrapping the concessions and is also keeping free Saturday parking at the council offices.

Nearly 3,000 people signed a petition launched by the Stop Taxing Our Parking campaign group.

Mary Powell, vice chair for retail at Maldon Business Association, said: “The High Street needs to be protected as an asset.

“Don’t think of the High Street as a cash cow any more. Too much pressure is going to put people of business, we’ve got to be regarded as one of the town’s attractions."