THURROCK Council is supporting local businesses in the borough this December with free parking on Small Business Saturday December 3, as well as every Saturday after, in the run up to New Year's Eve.

All council car parks as well as pay and display bays in Thurrock will be free to use on Saturday December 3, December 10, December 24 and December 31.

Brian Little, councillor for highways and transport welcomed the scheme saying: "I am pleased that we have continued to support local businesses during the festive season. Sundays are already free across council car parks, so adding the Saturday's during the busy festive period is small gesture to help everyone out.

"Our high streets and town centres are an important part of the local economy and we should rightly support them and encourage shoppers to shop there as well as the bigger shopping centres in the borough.

"It's also very handy that this year two of the Saturdays fall on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, making it easier for residents to pop out and get those last minute presents and party poppers!"

For the location of council-operated car parks, go to thurrock.gov.uk/parking