Which towns have free or cheap Christmas parking?

With Christmas approaching several local authorities across the South East are reducing parking fees in a bid to attract shoppers.

The festive season is a vital period for traders, town centres and high streets.

Some are offering discounts for evenings or weekends, while others are making parking completely free on certain days.

So where in Surrey, Sussex and Kent will you find your nearest offer?

Shoppers in Surrey have several towns to choose from.

In Farnham, where the town centre has been the scene of major roadworks since February, traders are hoping a flat rate £1 for the whole afternoon and evening between Thursday and Friday will lure customers.

Mole Valley District Council is offering free parking in Dorking, Leatherhead, Bookham and Ashtead on 29 November and 6 and 13 December.

Free parking is also being offered at the Swan Centre in Leatherhead on the same dates.

Epsom and Ewell is offering free parking on Sundays and on the night of its Ewell Yule Christmas event on 5 December.

In Kent, Canterbury City Council is offering free parking in Herne Bay on 7, 14 and 21 December, and in Whitstable on 4, 11 and 18 December.

Director of place Bill Hicks said: "We have carefully chosen the dates in order to have the maximum impact and help as many shoppers as possible.

"Everybody knows how special Christmas is in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable."

Dover District Council is offering free parking for the Christmas lights switch-ons in Sandwich on 29 November and Dover on 7 December, and is also offering a free hour to anyone buying at least an hour in council car parks from 14 December.

Folkestone and Hythe's car parks and pay and display bays will be free on 6, 13 and 20 December, while parking will also be free in all council car parks in Ashford and Tenterden on 6, 7, 13 and 14 December.

In West Sussex Arun District Council is offering free parking in several locations.

The Fitzleet multi-story in Bognor Regis will be free from 12:00 to 18:00 GMT for the switching on of the town's lights, while on 6 December Hothamton car park in Bognor Regis and St Martin's car park in Littlehampton will be free.

Roger Nash, chair of the economy committee, said: "Free parking is our way of giving back to the community and boosting the festive spirit."

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