More people are lingering in Ulverston shops thanks to prices being slashed at a car park, traders and the town council believe.

The subsidy at the Buxton Place car park has been declared a success by the Ulverston Business Improvement District (BID) and Ulverston Town Council, which have paid to subsidise stays since last year.

The scheme is set to run until September 2023.

A spokesperson for the council said: "It's costing £17,000 a year to pay the district council a subsidy, which comes from both us and the BID, so it’s a joint project.

"We now know people are lingering longer.

"Despite everything, the BID and town council are encouraged by this and will support the subsidy up to September 2023.

"Figures from South Lakeland District Council have shown that, even during lockdown, people are staying longer in town, with a 55 per cent increase in the sale of a two-hour parking ticket.

Councillor Janet Willis, who represents Low Furness on Cumbria County Council, praised the subsidy.

She said “Times are tough for many people so it’s right that as councillors we work with organisations like Ulverston BID to look into every possible way to help local residents.

“As we slowly come out of lockdown, we also want to be able to encourage more shoppers back into the town centre to support local jobs and businesses and hopefully this reduction in parking is one way to help to do that.”