SHOPPERS driving into Bolton town centre will get an early Christmas present when free weekday parking returns from Monday.

People will able to park for free after 3pm at Deane Road, the Octagon and Topp Way multi-storey car parks.

This is in addition to the free weekend and Bank Holiday parking currently on offer at the car parks, operated by the council’s partners NCP.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “The feedback we’ve had from retailers is that the free parking scheme has had a positive impact on their sales and we want to do everything we can to encourage more people into town and to support our town centre businesses, particularly in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

“We’ve got a bumper festive package this year and the free parking extension helps support this.”

Last year the scheme led to almost double the number of vehicles using the car parks – 164,000 compared to 86,000 drivers using the three NCP car parks in the previous 12 months.

Parking will also be free all day on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and the free after 3pm scheme will run until Friday, January 9, 2015.

It is hoped the announcement will mean more festive cheer for shoppers and businesses, hoping to cash in on an influx of people into the town centre for a programme of events including a special Christmas lights switch-on party on Thursday, November 20.

Andy Cottrell, manager of Rhode Island coffee shop in Knowsley Street, said: “It’s welcome news coming up to Christmas.

“It’s a big positive for the town and I hope a lot of people will come back in and take advantage of the free parking.”

From November 29, a snow slide, ice rink and a Santa’s grotto will be in the town centre.

A 100ft Ferris wheel will be in Victoria Square from December 11 and street entertainment will also be laid on to pull in the crowds.

Dates, costs and times of events are varied. Go to visitbolton.com/winterwonderland for more information.