Free parking will be extended in Renfrewshire Council car parks in Paisley during the upcoming festive season.

Drivers will be able to stop for up to two hours at no cost at the off-street facilities from December 1 until January 3.

It’s hoped the temporary change will boost footfall and encourage visitors into the town centre during the period.

Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, described the initiative as a “great step” by the local authority.

He added: “I’d obviously like it to go back to the way it was with Free for Three but this is a good start.

“I do recognise the council has to balance the books but it’s a good start, particularly coming up to Christmas, and it should help.

“An hour isn’t really long enough if you’re going shopping or meeting someone for a coffee but two hours should make a difference.

“As I said, my opinion will always be that we should go back to Free for Three – the way it was for a few years – but this is welcome.

“I’d like the council to look at it as an ongoing thing to encourage more people into the town centre and spend their money locally.”

Free for Three was a scheme that previously allowed drivers to park in specific council car parks in Paisley town centre for three hours at no charge.

However, it was axed when a new parking strategy, which included increased charges in the area, was introduced in February.

As part of the festive policy, there are two car parks – Cross Street North and St James Street – where it will take longer for the tariff changes to be implemented because the meters can’t be updated until the end of the first week in December.

To address this, notices will be in place at these locations advising two hours of free parking is only available through the Ringo app for that initial period.

People will still be required to collect a ticket for free parking from the machine if paying at the meter or by registering a virtual ticket if doing so through Ringo, regardless of how long they intend to park there.

The extension only applies to council car parks and doesn’t include on-street parking.

An evaluation will take place to consider festive arrangements for future years.