FREE parking in towns across Ceredigion could keep town centres bustling, according to Assembly Member Elin Jones.

Last week, Plaid Cymru called on the Welsh Government to set up a new fund to enable local authorities and community groups to offer free parking in towns throughout Wales to support local shops and businesses.

Miss Jones said: “Wales has more empty shops on its high streets than the rest of the UK, and the Welsh Government could potentially support the high street in order to keep them as a vibrant economic hub. We’ve seen the shape of our high streets change over the past few years.

"Places like Aberystwyth and Cardigan have seen a big turnover in shops. This may be down to more people moving online out of convenience. For example, footfall in Aberystwyth is down by almost a fifth since 2012.

“We need that extra incentive to get people in our towns, and free parking could do just that.”

Last month it was reported how the county council had rejected appeals to allow free parking in all its car parks for all four Saturdays in December.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow