There will be free parking in Dartford throughout the third lockdown, it has been confirmed.

Dartford council has suspended parking charges in all of its pay and display car parks in response to the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

The move is designed to assist shoppers venturing outside to make journeys for essential supplies.

It will also provide flexibility for residents in streets where additional time car parking pressures arise due to more neighbours working from home, the council says.

In a statement Dartford council said: "The conditions applying to resident parking schemes have also been relaxed to reflect the likelihood of more family members working from home.

"Whilst parking not linked to households within the scheme will continue to be prohibited, visitor permits issued to local residents who are part of the scheme will not be subject to daily renewal or expiry."

A single visitor permit may be placed on a vehicle until further notice.

But despite this relaxing of the rules on parking and enforcement the council is continuing to urge motorists to park responsibly.

"Our adoption of these common-sense operational arrangements does not mean that traffic regulations and orders have been suspended," the authority added.

"The council will enforce regulations if parking behaviours impact upon the safety or convenience of other road users or pedestrians.

"By working together and parking sensibly, we can keep each other safe."

The council went on to explain the the steps will aid frontline NHS and healthcare staff, as well as community volunteers and responders.

It says anyone being issued a penalty charge who meets the above description should contact the parking services team via the information on their ticket for them to review and resolve.

In June it was revealed Dartford council had lost out on close to £700,000 after car parks and leisure services shut, and the number of tickets being handed out plummeted during the first lockdown.

A month later it was one of the last local authorities in Kent to bring an end to the free use of its cars parks after a noticeable rise in commuter parking prompted a need to ensure spaces for shoppers flocking back to the town.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford