FREE parking could be laid on in Appleby on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.

Eden District Council's community and economy committee is being recommended to agree to free car parking on the authority's car parks in the town, and also in Penrith, on November 27, and December 4, 11, and 18.

At the same meeting, members are to be asked to comment on a plan by the Cumbria County Council local committee for Eden to increase the waiting time on parking discs in Appleby town centre.

Traders and others in the town requested the move because they said that time restrictions prevented browsing in the town's shops.

The local committee is suggesting that the disc zone waiting time is increased from one to two hours in: central area of Boroughgate (between the Moot Hall and Lower Cross), and Boroughgate East Side from Bridge Street for a distance of 103 metres.

Also being suggested is an increase of the disc limit from two to three hours in: Boroughgate; Chapel Street; Doomgate; High Wiend; Holme Street and The Sands.

In a report to members, Eden District Council officers said that the purpose of restricting the length of time visitors could park in the restricted areas was to maximise the availability of spaces.

The report said: "The lengthening of time restrictions will have the effect of severely reducing the availability of on-street parking spaces in the town."

Members of the community and economy committee will discuss their response tomorrow (Thursday).