Shoppers are being offered free parking in Castle Point Council car parks over the festive period.

Four car parks in Hadleigh and Benfleet and on Canvey will have charges suspended for a nine-day period, starting on December 20.

The council says it hopes the move will help attract more visitors to local town centres and boost trade.

Traders in the borough reacted angrily when the council started chargingdrivers to use its car parks on February 1.

Business owners argued the change would hit trade, but the council insisted the money was needed to fund repairs.

It has now said car parks in Oak Road, Canvey, Rectory Road, Hadleigh and Richmond Hall and Essex Way, both in Benfleet will be free between December 20 and December 28.

Benfleet High Road shopkeepers have welcomed the news.

Mary Haran, of Smiles and Tears Florist, said: “Every little helps, although I think they need to be taking it away altogether.

“Some people begrudge paying, so I think it will make a difference.”

Sara Wiggins, of Unique Boutique, said: “As long as it is well advertised, it will get people to the area.

“Once the parking charges were introduced, there was a dip in trade, so for us, it will be great.

“It is a really busy time of year for us and we are lucky our customers make the effort to come and see us.”

Tom Skipp, Castle Point councillor responsible for leisure, said: “It is a gesture at Christmas to try tomake a bit of a difference to the traders.

“We believe this is the right thing to do for shoppers and traders alike.

“This is the first Christmas there would have been charges at the town centre car parks.”

Basildon is also offering free parking in council car parks from December 20 to 28.

In Southend, all council car parks will be free on Sundays, and after 4pm on Thursdays, all through December, while Rochford Council is waiving charges for the next two Saturdays.