Supporting local businesses will be made easier this Christmas with town centre parking being made free.

Visitors to the various town centres across the region will be able to use car parks owned by Westmorland and Furness Council at no cost.

This scheme will be in place across every weekend in the build up to Christmas, including December 23 and 24.

The hope is that this will encourage more people to make the trip to the high street, boosting the amount of money the local economy can bring in.

Visitors are still reminded to check signage when parking as they may still have to pay for on-street parking and in car parks owned by businesses.