Test Valley Borough Council is offering visitors to Romsey an hour’s free parking in the run up to Christmas.

Extra hour vouchers will be valid in all council car parks in Romsey on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between December 2 and December 18.

Motorists can pick up vouchers from November 11 from the council’s offices at the former Magistrates’ Court in Church Street or from participating retailers.

Retailers who would like to take part in the scheme are invited to collect vouchers and posters from the council offices.

The vouchers will give the holder an extra hour’s parking for free providing they are displayed alongside a valid pay and display ticket or the driver has made a Ringo payment for a minimum of one hour.

The council hopes the combination of existing free parking after 4pm and the new Christmas vouchers will encourage more shoppers to come and enjoy what Romsey has to offer for the festive season.

Martin Hatley, portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: “The launch of the one-hour free Christmas parking voucher, our recent decision to freeze parking charges for two years and the retention of free parking after 4pm, are all designed to encourage people to shop and enjoy what Romsey has to offer in the weeks running up to Christmas.”