PARKING will be free in all Ceredigion County Council operated pay and display car parks on the three Saturdays before Christmas this year.

Parking charges will be waived on December 7, 14 and 21.

The costs of parking in Cardigan has been criticised by both the town council and traders.

An overall total of £944,824.50 was generated by Ceredigion County Council’s public car parks in 2018/19 - of which Cardigan drivers coughed up £314,907.57.

And following on from another recent hike in charges, it now costs £1.50 to park for an hour in the town.

Across the river in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire CC charge 50p for an hour’s parking in the High Street car park, while at Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire CC charges 70p for an hour and £1 for four hours - with free parking periods on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to try to encourage visitors.

Rhodri Llwyd, Ceredigion's corporate lead officer responsible for highways and environmental services, said: “Small businesses will be competing against online businesses for trade this Christmas.

"We want to do what we can to support Ceredigion businesses at this important time of year. We hope this step encourages more of us to shop locally this Christmas and enjoy what fantastic Ceredigion businesses have to offer.”