FREE parking is launching in Worcester for the Christmas run-up - giving shoppers a festive incentive.

The city council wants to entice people into giving retailers a boost by offering the chance to park for nothing after 6pm on Thursdays.

The deal will start from next Thursday, November 19 and run all the way up to Christmas Eve, which will also be included.

Prices have also been slashed for Sundays in the run-up to Christmas, with shoppers able to pay for two hours but stay for the whole day.

That deal will start on Sunday, December 6 and last up to and including Sunday, December 20, giving people three opportunities to take advantage.

The offers for both will apply to all council-run car parks apart from the Cornmarket on Thursday November 26, which will be shut that day for the annual Victorian Christmas Fayre.

Council chiefs are hoping it gives the city another boost to round off a 2015 which saw footfall again improve, and voids continue to be among the lowest in the Midlands region.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, the deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, city centre and the riverside, said: "Worcester has a really vibrant Christmas retail offer.

"It’s great news for shoppers, visitors and businesses that we're offering free parking for late night opening on Thursdays and greatly reduced fees for parking on Sundays.

"These great offers will draw in people from far and wide to pop into Worcester this Christmas."

The car parks include Copenhagen Street, Providence Street, Cattle Market, King Street, Newport Street, St Martin's Gate, Clare Street, Commandery Road, Pitchcroft, The Moors, Tybridge Street, Tallow Hill and Croft Road.

It comes after the council slashed prices to ultra competitive levels last year, including £1 after 7pm and as low as 40p per hour at selected sites.

We revealed last week how retail experts say Worcester's city centre occupancy rates continue to out-perform rival destinations.