Shoppers in Farnham and Haslemere can enjoy an afternoon of free town-centre parking in the run-up to Christmas.

All Waverley Borough Council car parks in Farnham, Godalming and Cranleigh will be free from 3pm on Thursday, December 1.

And in Haslemere, parking will be free from 3pm on Thursday, December 15 to coincide with the town centre’s late-night shopping evening and lights switch-on.

Waverley has also given an early Christmas cash boost to the borough’s towns this year to help draw shoppers to local high streets.

Farnham has invested the extra Waverley funding in artistic snow windows, an initiative it began in 2021 and which proved to be an internet sensation.

Windows at more than 20 shops and town centre businesses have been decorated with unique snowy designs created by specialist company, Snow Windows.

A video of last year’s windows in Farnham town centre received more than ten million views online and the town hopes this year’s designs will attract more visitors and shoppers.

In Haslemere, the cash has been put towards the town’s big Christmas lights switch-on on December 15 when there will be late-night shopping, community carols and festive stilt walkers including a Snow Queen as part of the street entertainment.

Haslemere retailers are joining in with a discount voucher scheme for shoppers and taking part in a seasonal window dressing competition.

Councillor Liz Townsend, Waverley’s portfolio holder for economic development, said: “Make the most of free parking in your community by hitting the high street and getting on top of your Christmas shopping.

“Christmas is a really important time for local retailers who are facing tough times, we hope that this ‘free after three’ parking will boost the number of shoppers coming through their doors.”

All Waverley car parks are free after 6.30pm daily.