Early details of when free parking will be in operation for Christmas shoppers has been announced.

Preston City Council is making its Market Hall car park ‘free after 5pm’ for those heading into the city centre to find presents.

It is proposing the free parking will be in place for the Christmas lights switch on of Saturday 25 November (from 5pm).

It then kicks in properly on Thursday 7 December to Sunday 10 December, again from Thursday 14 December to Sunday 17 December and again from Thursday 21 December to Sunday 23 December.

All dates are free parking from 5pm until midnight.

Read more: Here’s who is turning on this year’s Christmas lights

A report by council officers states: “The Council has been supporting the hugely successful festive free parking initiative for several years.

“It is envisaged that the income forgone from these proposals will be similar to the annual festive free parking loss of income that is currently reflected within the Market Car Parks income targets.

“The council replies upon car parking income to support public services and, for many years, has experienced a slight decline in car parking income like many other city centre car park providers.”

Council officers warn if free parking is not offered it could result in customers parking on main roads instead, where restrictions are not enforceable during the evening for late night shopping.

Read more: Alternative Christmas Market returning to the city centre

As well as the city council the University of Central Lancashire is also offering free parking on its Victoria (PR1 7AY) and Leighton Street (PR1 8RU) car parks.

Free parking will be from 6pm to 9pm from 24 November to 22 December on weekdays, until 7pm on Saturdays and until 6pm on Sundays.

It also continues the free parking on both these car parks from Crhistmas Eve until 2 January until 7pm.

Details of everything to do with Christmas 2017 in Preston can be found here.