Council chiefs have announced some festive cheer for motorists in a Hampshire town.

They are giving drivers an extra hour’s free parking in all council-owned car parks in Romsey every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the run-up to Christmas.

It starts on December 1 and lasts until December 17 and the free parking will be available via vouchers which will be available from Test Valley Borough Council’s Romsey offices in Church Street and participating retailers from Monday.

All vouchers must be displayed in vehicle windscreens along with valid pay and display tickets covering a minimum of one hour.

Christmas shoppers will be able to park from 2pm until shops close for just 90p.

Borough planning and transport spokesman Martin Hatley said: “This is the second year that the council has run the Christmas parking voucher scheme as a way to say thank you to people for choosing to shop in Romsey.”