FINAL preparations are being made to introduce a 'free after three' parking scheme in Ellesmere Port.

From August 3 charges will be reintroduced before 3pm at the main town centre car park at Asda, which has had a free for four hour maximum stay since December.

This was brought in by the former Ellesmere Port and Neston borough council, but if retained would have cost Cheshire West and Chester Council more than £500,000 a year.

The new council decided in June that council car parks in Ellesmere Port should be free after 3pm, so the scheme will also apply to the seven other pay and display car parks in the town. Charges will be in force between 8am-3pm.

Motorists using the car parks after 3pm must obtain and display a free ticket from the car park machines.