Christmas shopping is a stressful experience at the best of times, and that’s before you realise you haven’t got enough change to pay for parking.

For four days in December, free parking at six of the borough’s car parks will make that one less thing to worry about.

Charges will be suspended on Friday, December 11, Monday, December 14, Friday, December 18 and Monday, December 21 at council-run car parks around the main shopping areas.

These include St John’s Road East and West, plus Madge Gill Way in East Ham and the Old Town Hall in Stratford.

Shaftesbury Road and Queens Market car parks in Upton Park will also be free to use.

Cllr Ken Clark, cabinet member for public affairs, building communities, planning and regeneration, said: “By providing free parking Newham Council is supporting our amazing local businesses to get the most out of this festive season.

“We want to take the pressure off the Christmas shop this year, so we hope that by providing free parking on these Fridays and Mondays we can encourage shoppers to visit our retailers on either side of the weekend and ease the weekend rush.”

The car parks will still be patrolled by traffic wardens to ensure drivers are parked legally.