FREE parking in town centres and car parks across the Dudley borough has been extended until at least the end of May.

Dudley Council has been running free parking throughout much of coronavirus pandemic to try to support businesses as they start to recover.

Council chiefs hope extending free parking will encourage shoppers back into town centres and shopping areas now that non-essential shops have reopened as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The council had previously pledged to keep free parking until the end of April but has extended it for another month.

Heidi Marsh-Geyton, acting director of public realm at Dudley Council, said: "As more businesses are now able to open in our town centres, we hope free parking will encourage people to return to our high streets and local centres and support the recovery of those businesses which have been hit really hard in the last 12 months.

"Free parking will be extended until the end of May, we’ll then look to review it for the summer months."

People with parking season tickets will see payments suspended for an additional period.

All other parking conditions still apply, such as the permitted duration for short and long stay car parks, and Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will continue to be enforced.