SHOPPERS can park for free in selected town centre car parks today. 

Braintree Council is offering free parking between 7am and 7pm in George Yard multi-storey car park in Braintree and Newland Street car park in Witham. 

The event will mark this year’s Small Business Saturday initiative, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to shop locally.

Cllr Tom Cunningham, responsible for economic development, said: “Our small businesses are the heart of our local economy providing jobs and services to our residents and visitors.

"The more they succeed, the more jobs they provide for our residents. To mark Small Business Saturday UK we have decided to waive the car parking charges in our council-run town centre car parks for the day.

“Free parking isn’t something we can consider every day because we have to balance providing affordable parking with generating the income needed to maintain safe and effective car parks."