Christmas shopping is rarely stress-free, but a council scheme hopes to make it a little bit easier.

In Epping Forest, there will be no charge for using pay-and-display car parks on weekends throughout December.

They will also be free to use on bank holidays.

Epping Forest District Council transport councillor Gary Waller said: “We have relaxed the car park charges throughout the month of December again this year, to make shopping as easy as possible for our residents in the run up to Christmas.

“We hope that this will help to support our local retailers and town centres too, encouraging our residents to shop locally rather than taking their custom outside the district.”

Parking wardens will still patrol as usual and all other car park conditions will be enforced.