A CAR parking boost for shoppers in the run-up to Christmas is in the pipeline in Tavistock.

The town council's properties committee last week heard that Tavistock BID had requested that the Guildhall Car Park, owned by the council, should be included in the 'free after 3pm' car parking scheme which ran during the summer in West Devon Borough Council-owned car parks.

The suggestion was that the Guildhall Car Park offer free parking to shoppers after 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during November and December.

Town clerk Carl Hearn told members the proposal would probably cost an estimated £100 a week in lost income — but that BID would be making up this shortfall.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'This seems to me to be a sensible idea, specially if we are getting recompensed. It would be good in terms of goodwill and good business.'

Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'Could I ask that there is absolute clarity with this? In other words, that it's only Monday to Wednesday?

'I don't want people to get confused and end up getting parking tickets.'

The committee was told a notice would be attached to the ticket machine in the car park to inform shoppers of the special offer.

The committee agreed to accept the request from BID — the decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday night.