COUNCIL bosses are suspending car-parking charges in a bid to help people in the face of the looming recession.

Charges in all of Richmondshire District Council’s car parks have been axed from now until Christmas.

The move is one of a number of initiatives planned by the authority to help reduce the impact of the economic downturn on local residents and businesses.

It follows consultation with local business owners about the best way to help boost the district’s economy in the run-up to Christmas.

However the time restrictions for the short and medium stay car parks will still apply – cars can only be left there for a maximum of two and four hours respectively.

Council leader Melva Steckles said: "As a council we are committed to doing everything we can to help support local businesses, and axing parking charges from now until Christmas is a simple way of doing just that.

"We hope this will encourage residents and visitors to come to our market towns and spend as much time as they want there.

"This is a short-term measure, but is just one of a series of initiatives we are planning to lessen the effects of the national economic situation in Richmondshire."

Car-parks involved include: the short stay car parks in Victoria Road North and Victoria Road South, Richmond; the medium stay car park in the Fosse, Richmond; the long stay car parks at Nuns Close, Yorke Square and Round Howe in Richmond, as well as those in Leyburn, Hawes, Muker and Arkengathdale The council car park in Station Road, Richmond, will also be free, but the existing opening times will still apply