Christmas shoppers in the East Riding of Yorkshire will be able to park for free on weekends as part of the council’s annual festive support for local businesses.

The initiative has been running for 17 years successfully, and this year, the second week of free parking will coincide with ‘Small Business Sunday’, a national campaign supporting local traders.

Free parking will also be available on Sunday 9 November to support local people attending Remembrance Sunday events.

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We’re proud to support our high streets across the region, at a key time for businesses.”

“Free weekend parking is a great incentive to shop locally, and we encourage residents to support their local high street. “

The fee exemption on on-street and off-street parking will be in place from 8am on Saturday until 8am on Monday on the following weekends: Saturday, 29 November, and Sunday, 30 November; Saturday, 6 December, and Sunday, 7 December; Saturday, 13 December and Sunday, 14 December; Saturday, 20 December, and Sunday, 21 December.