IT will be free to park in all Cornwall Council car parks and to travel on the Truro Park & Ride for three dates in December, including Small Business Saturday.

All council pay-and-display and pay-on-exit car parks, as well as the park and ride, will be free on two Saturdays, December 7 and 14, and on Monday, December 23.

All Cornwall Council car parks are clearly branded, and there will be posters about the parking offer at charging points on the free parking days.

Truro Park and Ride boasts 2,500 parking spaces split between its Tregurra and Langarth bases, with buses running regularly into the city centre.

Visitors to pay-on-exit car parks should take a ticket from the entrance barrier as usual, and insert it into the machine by the exit barrier upon leaving. If you have only parked on the free parking day, the barrier will open to allow you to exit; if you have stayed for longer, any additional parking fee will need to be paid for before you drive up to the exit barrier.

The council is supporting the 11th annual Small Business Saturday, a national initiative encouraging consumers to shop local.

Martin Worth, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for customers, said: “Small Business Saturday is a reminder to us all about the importance of supporting the high street and local businesses.

“You might take up the offer of parking for free in one of our car parks, or leave the car at home - our bus network offers great value with single journeys costing just £2.”