Free parking will be available in Walsall over the festive season in a bid to draw shoppers into the town centre.

All of the town’s 20 council-owned car parks will have their charges waived from December 19 to 26, it was confirmed today. The move is to tempt people back into the shops of Walsall.

They have been badly hit because many are choosing to avoid the town during the construction of the multi-million pound new ring road.

It has had a devastating effect on some traders, who are also battling the credit crunch. Parking will also be free during the Christmas lights switch-on in the town on November 27.

Councillor Anthony Harris, cabinet member for transport, said: “We appreciate that people are feeling the pinch because of the credit crunch.

“By offering free parking over eight days, shoppers have one less thing to worry about. Walsall Council also wants to thank the businesses which have had to bear with us while we deliver a major road improvement scheme.

“We want to give something back and the suspension of car parking charges is our way of doing just that.”

Many shoppers have deserted Walsall to avoid negotiating the network of cones that have dominated the ring road during its extension over the last two years.

John Hodgkiss, business development manager for Walsall Town Centre Partnership, said: “On behalf of the partnership, we welcome the suspension of parking charges in the lead up to Christmas and this vital time for retail.”

Among the car park that are to be offered free are Intown Row and Lower Rushall Street.