Dates revealed for free Christmas parking in three Laois towns

Laois shoppers can save a bit of cash this Christmas if they support local businesses.

The normal parking fees in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick town centres will be waived every weekend in December by Laois County Council.

Shoppers can park for up to two hours free parking every Saturday and Sunday.

However it is not a free for all, the council warns.

"This relates to parking charges only as the council will continue to enforce illegal parking on double yellow lines, footpaths, loading bays and disabled bays."

Time limits will be enforced to ensure the same cars don't take up spaces all day.

The free parking days are on Saturday 6, 13 and 20 of December.

Read also: Disability parking wanted at Laois credit union

Laois Director of Services Simon Walton gave details at the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"It is the same as previous years. Downtown Portlaoise traders have asked that the time limits remain. Just the charges are waived," he said.

The three towns are the only ones in Laois with public paid parking.