Parking in Rochford will be free all day on the four Saturdays before Christmas.

Rochford District Council has agreed that motorists can park for free in all of its car parks on December 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Councillor George Ioannou, responsible for enterprise, said: “With Christmas coming the council wishes to do all it can to assist both residents and businesses within our district. Through careful budgeting by the council’s officers, we are delighted to be able to continue our traditional free parking.”