TWO hours of free parking will be available at Malmesbury’s Station Road Car Park as of Friday, July 31.

The announcement was made by Malmesbury Town Council and Malmesbury Town Team who will jointly subsidise Wiltshire Council's parking revenues for a 12 month trial.

It is hoped the free parking will encourage shoppers, visitors and residents to make more use of the Station Road Car Park and attract them to the town centre.

People parking for up to two hours will still need to get a ticket from ticket machines, which must be displayed as usual. Charges for longer periods will not change.

Chair of Malmesbury Town Team, Gordon MacPherson, said: "Research carried out in 2014 pointed to parking improvements as one of the key priorities.

“We hope that free parking just a short distance from the town centre will help achieve our goal to increase footfall."

Wiltshire Cllr, Simon Killane, said: "I am really keen residents, workers and visitors to Malmesbury have access to convenient, low cost parking.

“I am delighted this partnership has delivered two free hours parking for all.”

Philip Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We consulted widely on changes to parking and most people support the idea of free parking schemes.

“However, people were clear Wiltshire Council should not introduce higher charges or reduce services to fund these changes.

“Malmesbury is leading the way with their community partnership approach to funding free parking and we look forward to working with them on this trial.”

Mayor of Malmesbury, Cllr John Gundry, said "The Town Council welcomes the opportunity to subsidise parking for the benefit of the residents, workers, visitors and shopkeepers."