A controversial car park to Llangrannog will be free over the winter months, after the operators decided to drop the fees temporarily.

The Cambrian News has previously reported how motorists have been hit by heavy fines after finding the parking machine out of order.

Several motorists were reportedly unable to contact a call centre to pay for a ticket due to the lack of a mobile signal.

So many drivers came forward with complaints that it was claimed the tourist hotspot’s trade would be affected.

Local politicians were among those to voice their concern.

Now Anthony Ramsey-Williams, a member of the trust which owns the car park, has described the introduction of free winter parking as ‘a goodwill gesture’ to the people of Llangrannog, although parking fees will return to the site in March.

“We have met with the Llangrannog Welfare Committee and Ceredigion County Council to review the car parking arrangements with them,” said Mr Ramsey-Williams.

“They asked us to introduce a cheaper parking tariff for a one-hour stay as the minimum at the moment is two hours but we felt it would be a goodwill gesture to offer free parking until March.

"We are also changing the payment machine ready for next March and adding other protections against multiple incidents of criminal damage at the site.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now