Car parking will now be free as Allerdale council scraps charges.

Following guidance that parking should be free for NHS workers and others who are helping during the coronavirus outbreak, the council will not be charging for the use of the car parks with immediate effect.

The car parks will also remain open for use by local residents such as those who have permits.

A spokesman for Allerdale council said: "We fully support the government’s efforts to prevent all unnecessary travel and this move is not designed to encourage shoppers or visitors to the area. The council continues to ask people to stay at home, to help protect the local NHS services."

The car parks which are now free are:

Workington: Ladies Walk, Udale Street, Elizabeth Street, Brow Top, Brow Top Annexe, Central Station, Allerdale House

Cockermouth: Fairfield, Bitterbeck, Memorial Gardens, Sullart Street and Riverside

Keswick: Bell Close, Otley Road, Central and Lakeside

Wigton: Water Street

The following car parks have always been free, but the time restriction will no longer apply:

Maryport: Mill Street

Cockermouth: All Saints

Workington: Horse Close

Wigton: Council Centre and Market Hill

No charges will also apply in car parks which we manage on behalf of other organisations. These are:

Keswick: Booths (Tithebarn Street), Derwent Mill and Rawnsley Hall

Maryport: South Quay and Irish Street.

Closure of the multi-storey car park in Workington

The council closed the multi-storey car park in Workington earlier this week, to help reduce the risk of infection from the coronavirus.

It was considered that with its stairways, doors, lifts and other communal areas, users of the car park were more at risk of spreading and contracting the virus.

The move, taken as part of the council's business continuity plans, also frees up staff to help with maintaining core services and assisting with any other tasks required to help those affected by the impact of coronavirus.