COUNTY councillors will be given a presentation next week on the implementation and management of a week’s free car parking in the run-up to Christmas in Northumberland’s market towns.

The authority agreed to suspend parking fees for seven days from December 18 in Berwick, Alnwick, Morpeth and Hexham to help local traders.

Next Tuesday, the council’s economic prosperity scrutiny committee will be given a detailed report on the impact of the free parking offer on the town centres.