SIMMONS Park Car Park will be 'Free after Three' for the rest of December in an effort to entice shoppers into the town.

Town councillors discussed the issue of offering shoppers free parking at their property committee meeting on Monday night. Following a vote by councillors to support the move, car parking charges will be waived after 3pm in the car park every day from now until January 1, in an effort to increase footfall in the town centre and support local business, in particular small traders, during the festive period.

Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'As a council, this is something we have done for the last two years, and it is something I am very keen to see us do again. We saw the positive response we got from traders offering the car park for free during Small Business Saturday, and this is another way of showing our support.'

Cllr Tony Leech agreed: 'I am fully behind this. This year, let's try and get some feedback from businesses to see if it makes a difference to them and if it does bring in any more shoppers.'

Okehampton Town Council would like to hear opinions from shoppers and traders on the matter, and whether a more permanent measure could help stimulate business in the town centre.

To share your opinion with the council, please pop into the town hall or call 01837 52937.