NEWPORT traders and shoppers are being given a present in the run-up to Christmas - free parking.

Visitors to the town will be able to park for free thanks to a park and ride service which is launched on Saturday.

The park-and-ride service will allow shoppers to park in the top car park at the Civic Centre and catch a free bus to and from town, easing parking and traffic congestion. Buses will pick up shoppers outside the main entrance of the Civic Centre every ten minutes from 9am and circulate to and from the bus stop outside Pizza Hut, Bridge Street, until 6pm.

The bus will also pick up at the Faulkner Road car park for pay-and-display customers. Councillor Graham Dally, Cabinet member for transport, said: "We hope visitors to the town centre will take advantage of this excellent free service.

"Traffic is always busier during the festive period and the park and ride will enable people to get in and out of town quickly as well as making it easier for shoppers laden with shopping to get to their cars."

The scheme was introduced last year following consultation with New-port Town Centre Part-nership and proved to be a huge hit.

The Partnership found it was drawing in shoppers who normally did not visit Newport - and the boost for traders is set to be repeated this year.

The park-and-ride service will run every Saturday from November 24 to December 29 inclusive.

Free parking is also available in all Newport council-owned car parks every Sunday and from 6.30pm every Thursday up until Christmas, although Park Square Car Park closes at 7pm. For further information call 01633 233278.