Maidstone Borough Council is giving drivers an early Christmas present by making the town’s biggest car park free after 3pm.

The offer runs daily throughout December at Lockmeadow Car Park, Barker Road, which has 500 spaces just five minutes walk from the High Street.

It operates alongside additional Park and Ride services for late night shopping on Thursdays.

Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Development, Councillor Stephen Paine, said: “We want to make it easier than ever for visitors, workers and shoppers to get into Maidstone this Christmas.

"Initiatives such as the Lockmeadow Parking Perk and extended Park and Ride services ensure that Maidstone’s fantastic festive offer is accessible, competitive and great value too.”

The offer ends on December 31, and visitors are reminded that charges will still apply in the council’s smaller car parks, before 3pm at Lockmeadow, and on Park and Ride services.