SHOPPERS are to be offered free travel on Christmas Eve.

Travel on Durham City’s park and ride scheme will be free on Saturday from 7am to 7pm allowing last-minute shoppers to park at the sites at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands and travel into the city centre on shuttle bus.

Coun Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: "This is a chance to get something for nothing and to grab some last minute gifts and bargains at the same time.

"Buses will leave all three sites every ten minutes so come along and enjoy some Christmas cheer in our stunning historic city."

The park and ride operates more than one million passenger journeys every year.

All sites have dedicated parking for disabled drivers and are CCTV controlled with regular inspection patrols carried out during opening hours.