TRADERS have welcomed Tendring Council’s plans to extend a free parking scheme.

Council tax-paying households in the district are given a pass to use in most council-owned car parks free of change after 11am.

It costs the council £300,000 to fund the scheme, which aims to encourage people to shop locally.

The council wants to continue the scheme when it ends on March 31.

Darren Bradwell, chairman of the Clacton Town Partnership, said: “When the scheme started, we noticed howmany people came in.

“It just shows how many people would use the free car parking to shop in Clacton. People don’t want to go shopping in a town if they have to pay a lot for parking.

“It’s a great scheme because it gives something back to the residents who pay council tax and has a positive effect on business.”