Parking will be free in all council car parks in Ceredigion on the three Saturdays preceding Christmas this year and in future years, Cabinet members have decided.

Parking charges at pay-and-display car parks run by Ceredigion council will be waived on 8, 15 and 22 December.

The Cabinet member responsible for highways and environmental services, Cllr Dafydd Edwards said: “Christmas is a very important time of year for many small businesses in our towns.

"This decision will support people to prepare for the festivities locally and help small businesses compete with the increasing influence of online shopping.”

Free parking will now be offered in future years, with council leader Ellen ap Gwynn saying it was important for the council to have a “consistent” basis for the free parking.

A report by Gerwyn Jones of the highways department said: “While affording free parking does have implications on income generation for the council, it is recognised that these arrangements are perceived to have a positive impact on footfall in Ceredigion’s town centres and therefore a positive impact on the local economy.”

In Aberystwyth, the council operates car parking areas on the seafront and in Park Avenue, Queen’s Avenue and Maesyrafon. The other main car parks in the town are privately owned.