FREE parking is available to Hillingdon residents in council car parks and on-street bays in the run-up to Christmas.

The borough hopes the scheme will boost local trade by saving residents and businesses money.

HillingdonFirst card users will not be charged for parking on Saturdays and Sundays in December but must display a ticket.

If a car park has a maximum stay period, this time restriction will still apply, but card users will not be charged.

The HillingdonFirst card gives residents and businesses preferential parking rates and discounts at many borough shops. All council-owned car parks are listed here.

The borough also reminds residents to use cards as normal to access Hillingdon libraries and the waste and recycling centre in Harefield.