Shoppers in Brent will benefit from free parking in some council car parks over the Christmas period, but those in Harrow will have to make do with 20 minutes.

Brent Council announced that shoppers will be able to park for free in ten council car parks across the borough on the weekends leading up to Christmas.

Starting on Saturday (November 30), they will also be open to motorists on Sunday (December 1) as well as December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.

However, drivers in neighbouring Harrow will not benefit from the same deal.

Harrow Council charges in most of its car parks within operating hours and does not offer a specific free parking scheme in December.

Some sections of on-street parking are free for 20 minutes all year round which, it says, supports local businesses.

The car parks involved in the Brent Council scheme include those in Kingsbury Road, Preston Road, Salusbury Road, Lonsdale Avenue and Neasden town centre.

Drivers can also make use of the car parks in St John’s Road, Wendover Road, Barham Park, Disraeli Park and Northwick Park.

In addition, all Brent Council car parks will be free to use on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A spokesman for the council said: “The council has long held the view that small businesses are the life blood of the local economy, providing jobs and services and adding to the unique diversity of Brent.

“With that, we are keen to support our local businesses in whatever way we can.

“We hope that providing free parking across sites in the borough at one of the busiest times of the year for businesses will help those who do shop locally to stay loyal, and for those who tend to drive out of the borough to shop, to encourage them to see what local high streets in the borough have to offer.”