TO encourage residents to “shop local” this Christmas, there will be four days when parking charges will not apply in town and village centre car parks in Ringwood.

Ringwood Town Council has announced there will be free parking in any New Forest District Council car parks for four days in Ringwood to encourage residents to continue to shop locally in the approach to Christmas.

With this incentive, they hope to boost support for both small businesses and Ringwood's Winter Wanderland Christmas light switch on.

In Ringwood, the dates are:

Sunday, November 27 – to support the Ringwood Winter Wanderland Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday, December 3 – to support Small Business Saturday

Saturday 17 and Sunday, December 18 – the last weekend before Christmas

READ MORE: No free Christmas parking in BCP area in 2022

The news comes after BCP Council confirmed they will not be providing any free parking periods at council-owned car parks in town centres and district shopping areas.

Instead, they are encouraging people to take the bus or use sustainable travel methods to visit town centres during the festive season.