MOST car parks across Ealing will be free of charge at weekends throughout December.

The council hopes it will attract residents to shop, eat and drink locally in the run-up to Christmas.

Council leader Julian Bell said: “When we offered free weekend parking in the weeks following the summer riots, businesses and traders in Ealing said it made a big difference. It is in all of our interests to use local businesses for shopping, eating and drinking.

“I hope many residents will take advantage of this generous offer in December, which I’m pleased to announce includes the brand new temporary car park in Southall.”

The following car parks will be free on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December:

Ealing

* Springbridge Road

* Perceval House, Longfield Avenue

* South Ealing Road

West Ealing

* Dean Gardens, Leeland Terrace

* Witham Road

* Arden Road

* Singapore Road

Acton

* Salisbury Street

* Churchfield Road

Hanwell

* George Street

Greenford

* Greenford Broadway, Oldfield Lane South

Southall

* Herbert Road

* Featherstone Terrace

* Norwood Road (both car parks)

* Hambrough Road The new car park opening in Southall in December is in Hambrough Road. It will be open daily from 8am-6pm and has space for 49 cars and four disabled bays.

It will be open for at least six months while the council investigates other options for creating additional parking in the area.

Though weekend parking will be free in December at Hambrough Road, at other times customers will have to pay at this location, through the pay-by-phone system.

Motorists who wish to use this system are required to register their details with PayByPhone online at http://www.paybyphone.co.uk/ or by calling 0208 127 0999.