Hundreds of free car parking spaces will be opened up to shoppers in Wolverhampton in the run-up to Christmas by construction giant Carillion.

The firm has stepped in to open its 300-space car park free of charge at weekends and during late night shopping throughout the festive period.

The multi-storey car park is in Birch Street, off Ring Road St Andrew’s, and features 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance.

The company opened the car park to Christmas shoppers for the first time last year after a free park and ride service into the city centre was scrapped.

The car park will be open for shoppers every Saturday and Sunday from 7.30am until 5pm, except during Wolves home games when it is leased to the club and a £5 charge will be in place.

It will also be available to shoppers from 5pm until 9pm from November 25 until Christmas Eve.

Ray Giles, from Carillion, said: “We are very pleased to allow the general public free access when we are not using the car park over the weekends and also when late night shopping starts.”

Kim Gilmour, Wolverhampton City Centre manager, said today: “We applaud Carillion’s immediate reaction to help local traders and shoppers.”