FREE pre-Christmas parking for shoppers in Blackburn starts tomorrow.

All on-street parking bays and council-owned car parks will be free for a maximum of three hours.

However, the offer does not include the privately- owned Mall shopping centre car park.

This will continue every Saturday until Christmas.

As well as this, shoppers will be able to park for free on the market car park on Wednesdays and Fridays, again for up to three hours.

In Darwen, free parking has been extended to three hours on the market and Foundry Street car parks, and parking on Duckworth Street has also been extended to one hour.

Parking remains free on all other car parks in the town all day, including Knott Street and the former Texaco garage site.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “Don’t let the credit crunch bite in Blackburn or Darwen.

“Take advantage of the free parking in both towns on Saturdays and market days.”

The Blackburn with Darwen Council-owned car parks include: Alma Street, Simmons Street, Waves, Barton Street, Montague Street, Weir Street, Mill Lane, Canterbury Street, Fleming Square, Market Roof Top, Starkie Street, and Paradise Lane.