CHRISTMAS shoppers can save some pennies for presents thanks to a free park and ride programme in Warrington.

The scheme will create more than 800 extra free car parking spaces for motorists on the outskirts of the town centre.

Shoppers can now park up their cars at two sites on the north and south of the town and get a bus direct to the centre free of charge.

A park and ride scheme has been available during previous Christmases but this is the first time that two separate sites have been used to deliver the scheme.

The car parks will be based at Warrington Collegiate, on Winwick Road, and at Wilderspool Park, opposite Morrisons, every Saturday starting this weekend until December 22.

Buses leave the sites every couple of minutes between 9.30am and 6pm and Warrington Borough Transport runs both the parking service and buses free of charge.

Michael Hancock, chairman of Warrington Town Centre Partnership, said: "Visitor numbers this Christmas are set to reach record levels and these new park and ride services will ensure motorists will be very well catered for."

The sites, which are owned by the Collegiate and Bruntwood, owners of Wilderspool Park, will be highlighted to drivers by yellow AA signs.

Chris Armstrong, of Bruntwood, said: "We are delighted to provide up to 500 parking spaces to help reduce congestion during the festive period. Wilderspool is close to the town centre and we are hopeful the park and ride scheme will provide Christmas shoppers with a convenient alternative to driving into the town centre."

All buses used on the service will be fully wheelchair accessible and fitted with on-board CCTV.

Paul Hafren, principal of Warrington Collegiate, said: "The Collegiate car park has spare capacity on Saturdays and we are delighted to put it to such good use in such an innovative way."

vicki.stockman@guardiangrp.co.uk