Weekend parking charges in Ayr are to be suspended for Christmas by South Ayrshire Council.

In a bid to encourage people to make the most of the town centre this festive season, fees will be dropped from Saturday until December 31.

All on-street parking will be free as well as the council-owned car parks on Barns Crescent, Charlotte Street and Kyle Street.

Private car parks will continue to charge as normal.

Councillor Ian Cochrane said: "With the countdown to Christmas now well and truly under way I'm sure this added incentive to visit Ayr town centre will be welcomed by shoppers and traders alike.

"By scrapping the charges for council spaces, we're hoping to encourage more people to choose local shops as the first choice for their festive shopping, while also encouraging visitors to travel from across the west of Scotland.

"I hope that people make good use of this initiative in the weeks ahead and I look forward to seeing a busy town centre in the run up to the New Year."

Normal weekend parking charges will be reinstated from January 6, 2018.