LEDBURY traders are taking full advantage of free Sunday parking in town, with special openings during the run up to Christmas.

Ledbury Town Council has negotiated its own parking arrangements with Herefordshire Council, and free Sunday parking remains part of the useful package.

Speaking at last week's Full Town Council meeting in the Market House, Cllr Liz Harvey, a town and county councillor for Ledbury said: "The parking solution for Ledbury is by far and away the most innovative, among the Market Towns.

"With free parking on Bank Holidays and, clearly, with the continuation of Sunday and evening free car parking, we are in a very good pitch to make good use of the car parking as an asset."

A number of Ledbury traders have decided to open Sundays in the run up to Christmas.

These include Handley Organics; The Apothecary Shop; Aggie's Delicatessen;

Shanti Shanti; Muse Cafe; Nice Things & Cafe;

Juice; Sweet Memories and The Little Shop of Wonders.

The list will expand for a special Sunday opening, on the last Sunday before the big day.

Traders who have decided to join the list of Sunday openers, on December 20, will include The Homend Mall; Ledbury Hardware, and Bamboo - The Flower Gallery.

And the list is likely to increase.

Ledbury is also in a good position when it comes to the number of town centre car parks.

There are four in total, which include St Katherine's; Bye Street, Bridge Street and Lawnside Road.

From any of these car parks, it is only a short walk to the Homend, The High Street and the Southend, where Christmas shoppers can encounter a large number of independent traders with stock that has been carefully and individually chosen for the season.