PEOPLE are being urged to use public transport rather than drive to this year’s Sunderland Illuminations and Festival of Light.

More than 1,000 parking spaces are available in Sunniside and St Mary’s car parks in the city centre.

The ticket for the car park allows up to five passengers free return travel on the Park and Ride bus services to Seaburn to visit the event.

Sunderland City Councillor John Kelly said: “We really want to encourage more and more people to use the dedicated event park and ride service this year.

“Not only will it reduce congestion on the roads, it will reduce the stress of finding one of the very few parking spaces available on the seafront, and stress of getting stuck in traffic.

“With so many visitors expected the event area is subject to a traffic management scheme. so parking in residential areas is not available.”

Further details of the event and on-line tickets for the Festival of Light are on sale at seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/illuminations