PEOPLE buying presents during late night shopping in the run-up to Christmas will be able to leave their cars out of town and catch the bus into Taunton.

Park and ride evening services are running on Thursdays from November 21 and also for the lights switch-on on Sunday, November 17, when it will be free.

Timings are still being finalised – watch the County Gazette and somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news for full details of the Taunton Deane Council initiative.

The park and ride scheme follows the Free after 3 parking without having to pay in High Street, Orchard, The Crescent, Canon Street and Coal Orchard car parks from 3pm to 6pm on Saturdays from October 12 to November 16.

And over in Wellington, there will be free parking in council car parks on the four Saturdays before Christmas.

Council deputy leader Cllr Mark Edwards, who holds the planning and transport portfolio, said: “The late night shopping is an important part of the retail offering in Taunton and for shoppers to be able to easily access the town centre late afternoon, or for commuters to be able to stay in town for the evening is excellent and must help Taunton’s retailers.

“I’m extremely pleased that I have been able to deliver this and hope retailers really benefit from the increased footfall I believe this will produce.”