CHRISTMAS shoppers coming to Basingstoke will get an early festive gift after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council announced that it will offer free and reduced rate parking in the town centre.

To kick off the festive season, there will be free parking in the council-run town centre car parks – Central, Jacobs Yard, Joices Yard, Albert Yard, Castons Yard and the car park in Southern Road – from 3pm on Friday, December 5 to coincide with The Top of The Town Christmas event.

The free parking supports the event, which runs from 5pm to 8pm, with late-night shopping, an eco-Santa’s grotto, real reindeer, children’s workshops and feasting, as well as a Christmas trail and a programme of free entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

This will be followed by three hours of free parking in the same car parks on Saturday, December 6 for those who want to do more Christmas shopping.

Two car parks at the civic offices – Eastlands and Parklands – will be used as this year’s weekend-only extra Christmas parking.

These car parks will be free this Saturday and Sunday. After that, they will be open every weekend in December and the first weekend in January with reduced Christmas parking charges of £2.50 for up to four hours and £3 all day.

Councillor Cathy Osselton, borough council Cabinet member for partnerships, said: “I hope that the additional parking will make things easier for Christmas shoppers and be a boost for our traders and businesses.”