MOTORISTS in Chagford will be able to park for free in West Devon Borough Council's car park before 10am in an effort to help local shops and businesses.

Car park pay and display charges have been reviewed in order to encourage more local people to do their shopping first thing in the morning.

Motorists will be able to park free for an extra hour a day, Monday to Saturday, as the charging period in the car park will start at 10am rather than 9am.

The changes have been reached in consultation with the parish council and local businesses.

Jonathan Richards, who runs Best Cellars Wine Merchants in Chagford, said: 'The extra hour of free parking should benefit the local high street business community. The availability of increased free off-street parking at specific times will allow residents access to early shopping facilities without fear of ticketing.'

The cost of car park season tickets in Chagford is also being reduced. The price of a twelve month season ticket for the car park will drop from £180 to £155.

Cllr Robert Sampson, the council's ward member for Chagford, said: 'I welcome this change, following consultation with the parish council and Business Association. I hope that it will encourage more early shoppers both from Chagford and further afield.'

The cost of parking for one hour at the council's pay and display car park will stay at just 30p.

However, other pay and display charges are going up. It will now cost 70p rather than 60p to park for 2 hours, £1.30 rather than 90p to park for 3 hours and £1.90 rather than £1.40 to park for 4 hours. The cost of parking all day will increase from £1.90 to £2.70.

The increases are to supplement the additional free hour in the morning.

Full details of all the changes to car parking charges and season tickets are available on the council's website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk