HUNTINGDONSHIRE District Council has changed its mind about its Christmas and New Year free parking offer less than two days after announcing that residents could have a stay of up to four hours in any council car park on one Saturday in December or Janua

HUNTINGDONSHIRE District Council has changed its mind about its Christmas and New Year free parking offer less than two days after announcing that residents could have a stay of up to four hours in any council car park on one Saturday in December or January.

Thursday's cabinet meeting decided to restrict the offer - which is based on a coupon to be included in the next issue of its home-delivered magazine District Wide - to long-stay car parks only.

A spokesman said: "Taking a second look at it, we want to get as many people into the towns as possible, so we don't want to clog up short-term spaces because that would not help the businesses."

The offer will apply to parking in Ingram Street, Great Northern Street, Riverside (long stay section) Castle Hill House (front section) and St Germain Street (Minor) car parks in Huntingdon, the Cattle Market (Harrison Way section), Darwoods Pond and Globe Place car parks in St Ives, Priory and Tebbutts Road car parks in St Neots, and Bridge Place car park, Godmanchester.

The voucher will save users up to £1.50.