A free parking scheme has been extended in a bid to support festive shopping.

Carlisle City Council announced the new late-night Thursday free parking scheme, which is an extension of their current scheme which offers free parking every weekend and on bank holidays.

Visitors to the city will also benefit from free parking after 3pm on the following Thursdays: December 1, 8, 15 and 22.

The free parking scheme will be available in the following Carlisle City Council car parks: Bitts Park; Caldew Riverside; Castle; Civic Centre; Lowther Street; The Sands; Swifts Bank, Viaduct and West Walls.

The free after 3pm scheme aims to support high street businesses in Carlisle by encouraging more visitors to park up, stay local and shop local.

Carlisle City Cllr Nigel Christian, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “We need to do all we can to support the local high street and we hope that by providing free parking after 3pm in our city centre car parks on late night Thursdays, residents will choose Carlisle as their Christmas shopping venue.”

The car park barriers in Caldew Riverside, Castle and West Walls will close at 11:30pm on each late night Thursday.

If you are using West Walls Car Park check in/check out service on the Late Night Thursdays, ensure you check out by 3pm to take advantage of the free after 3pm offer.

Free weekend and Bank Holiday parking is available in nine Carlisle City Council city centre car parks.

In addition to the weekend offer, the council also introduced a reduced rate parking charge of £1 for the first hour of parking across Carlisle-owned city centre pay and display car parks.

The incentives aim to, according to the council, support the local economy and encourage more people to visit Carlisle.

READ MORE: LGBTQ+ charity reacts to news of deadly mass shooting